ECOWAS Faces Crisis as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso Withdraw

In a significant development, the nations of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have declared their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The decision, conveyed through a joint statement on Sunday, January 28, 2024, cites a departure from the organization’s founding ideals and the spirit of Pan-Africanism after 49 years.

These West African countries, currently under military leadership following coups against civilian leaders, express regret and disappointment over ECOWAS’s perceived failure to assist them in their fight against terrorism and insecurity. The joint statement accuses ECOWAS of adopting an irrational and unacceptable stance by imposing illegal and illegitimate sanctions, exacerbating the challenges faced by populations already impacted by years of violence orchestrated by terrorist groups.

The tension between the military juntas and ECOWAS escalated when the three nations were initially suspended from the organization due to the coups and their refusal to comply with ECOWAS’s directive to restore civilian rule. The discord reached a summit in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, in December, where West African leaders urged a “short” transition toward civilian rule in coup-affected Niger before considering easing economic sanctions. Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in July 2023, with the junta declaring a three-year timeline for the return to civilian rule.

Mali, having experienced two coups since August 2020, and Burkina Faso, where the elected government was ousted in 2022, are among the nations questioning ECOWAS’s effectiveness and commitment to promoting stability in the region. The withdrawal of these countries adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing challenges facing West Africa.