The Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS has granted Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger a six-month grace period to reconsider their decision to withdraw from the regional bloc.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, announced the transitional period on Sunday in Abuja during the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority. According to him, the countries, which officially notified ECOWAS of their withdrawal, will cease to be members by January 29, 2025, in line with Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty.
“From January 29 to July 29, 2025, ECOWAS will keep its doors open to the three countries to reconsider their decision. Mediation efforts by the Presidents of Togo and Senegal will continue during this period to facilitate their return,” Dr. Touray stated.
He added that after the grace period, ECOWAS would proceed with withdrawal formalities, including a contingency plan to outline political and economic relations with the three nations. The Council of Ministers is expected to convene an Extraordinary Session in the second quarter of 2025 to finalize separation modalities.
ECOWAS leaders commended the mediation efforts of President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, as well as the diplomatic engagement led by ECOWAS Chairman, President Bola Tinubu, and other member states.
In his closing remarks, President Tinubu applauded the collective resolve of ECOWAS leaders to address regional challenges, urging member states to remain united and implement decisions that benefit citizens.
“As we move forward, let us continue to champion the cause of a peaceful, secure, and prosperous West Africa, anchored on the principles of freedom, justice, democracy, and good governance,” Tinubu said.
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The Nigerian leader also congratulated outgoing African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat on his valedictory session and praised Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo for his democratic ideals, describing him as “Mr. Democrat.”
