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Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the regional bloc announced on Wednesday.
It said, “the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger from ECOWAS has become effective today, 29″ January 2025.”
Recall that the trio last year notified ECOWAS of their intentions to withdraw from the bloc, after they were suspended due to military takeovers of their governments.
In September last year, after announcing their planned exit, the three junta-led countries created their own security partnership, the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS).
However, in December last year, President Bola Tinubu declared that the interest and welfare of the citizens in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger remain priority for leaders of ECOWAS, assuring that wisdom and diplomacy would be deployed to reintegrate the countries into the commission.
Even after their official exit, the bloc today said, “in the spirit of regional solidarity and in the interest of the people, as well as the decision of the ECOWAS Authority to keep ECOWAS’ doors open, all relevant authorities within and outside ECOWAS Member States are requested and required to:
“recognize National passports and identity cards bearing ECOWAS logo held by the citizens of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger, until further notice.
“continue to treat goods and services coming from the three countries in accordance with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy.
“allow citizens of the three affected countries to continue to enjoy the right of visa free movement, residence and establishment in accordance with the ECOWAS protocols until further notice.
“provide full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the three countries in the course of their assignments for the Community.”
It noted that these arrangements would be in place until the full determination of the modalities of the bloc’s future engagement with the three countries by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
The Commission disclosed that it has set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries, adding that the message was necessary to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of the people during the transition period.