The Economic Community of West African States has approved the withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso as member states from January 29, 2025.
It also declared a six-month transition period lasting until July 2025.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, announced this at the close of the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
He announced, “The Authority takes note of the request by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS.
“In accordance with article 91 of the ECOWAS treaty, the three countries will cease to be members of ECOWAS from January 29, 2025.”
However, the bloc says its doors remain open during the seven-month transitionary period from January 29 to July 29.
In January 2024, the three countries announced their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.
They accused the regional bloc of deviating from its foundational ideals and succumbing to external influences, particularly criticising the imposition of sanctions aimed at reversing their respective coups.
This decision followed a series of military takeovers: Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023, each leading to suspensions from ECOWAS and strained relations with the organisation.