Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Set to Exit ECOWAS in 2025
Regional Bloc Announces Phased Withdrawal Plan During Abuja Summit
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially confirmed that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic will cease to be members of the regional bloc, with their withdrawal set to take effect between January 29 and July 29, 2025.
ECOWAS Commission President Alieu Touray made the announcement during the 66th ordinary session of heads of states and governments in Abuja, Nigeria. The six-month transition period is designed to allow for final diplomatic interventions and mediation efforts.
According to Touray, the authority has acknowledged the withdrawal notifications from the three countries, in line with Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS treaty. The bloc has committed to keeping its doors open during the transitional period and has extended the mediation mandates of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé.
“After deliberations, their excellencies, the authority members of the authority of ECOWAS, heads of state and government, commend the exemplary diplomatic engagement of His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal, and His Excellency Faure Gnassingbé President of the Togolese Republic, and the diplomatic efforts of the chairman of authority, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other individual member states towards these three countries,” he said.
“The authority takes note of the notification by Bukina Faso, Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS. The authority acknowledges that in accordance with the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from 29 January, 2025.
“The authority decides to set the period from 29 January, 2025 to 29 July 2025 as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period.
”In this regard, the authority extends the mandate of President faure Gnassingbé of Togo, and President Faye of Senegal to continue their mediation rule up to the end of the transition period to bring the three member countries back to ECOWAS.”
The ECOWAS leadership has directed the council of ministers to convene an extraordinary session in the second quarter of 2025 to consider separation modalities and develop a contingency plan covering political and economic relations with the departing nations.
The withdrawal marks a pivotal moment in the region’s political history, following recent military coups in these countries and increasing tensions with the regional bloc over governance and security issues.
ECOWAS has also commended the diplomatic efforts of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other member states in addressing the situation.
Withdrawal formalities will be officially launched after the January 29, 2025 deadline, with the bloc preparing for potential economic and political implications of the member states’ exit.
