Latest Headlines
Withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger from ECOWAS Effective Today After One Year Exit Notice

•Economic bloc leaves some membership benefits for the trio, including grants visa-free movement
•Tuggar says exit will have consequences for West Africa’s security, economy, integration
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) officially takes effect today after the expiration of the mandatory one year notice.
Though the regional bloc had officially acknowledged the proposal by the trio to exit, it said it had not fully shut its doors to the three countries, but allowed them to continue to enjoy some membership benefits.
A statement by ECOWAS Commission read, “The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger from ECOWAS has become effective today, 29th January 2025.
“However, 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:
“a) Recognise 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.
“b) Continue to treat goods and services coming from the three countries in accordance with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy.
“c) 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.
“d) Provide full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the three countries in the course of their assignments for the Community.”
ECOWAS Commission said, “These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future engagement with the three countries by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“The Commission has set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries. This message is necessary to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our people during this transition period.”
President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, while addressing the media at the ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja, said the Authority of the Heads of State and Government will determine the bloc’s modalities of engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Republic of Niger.
“The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger from ECOWAS has become effective today, 29th January 2025,” Touray reiterated at the briefing.
He said the next step would be the exit negotiations, which would involve ECOWAS and the three countries, adding that the regional bloc has initiated the procedure and positive responses have been received from the former members.
Touray added that passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo would remain valid for travel within the region for citizens from the three countries.
He stated, “These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future arrangements to the three countries by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“Article 91 of the revised Treaty of ECOWAS provides that when a member country intends to leave the community, they should give a one-year notice, and to give that one year, they have all the permission to withdraw their notification.
“The notification of the three countries that were communicated in January 2024 were not or have not been withdrawn.
“As a result, the authority acknowledged during its summit in December, on the 15th of December 2024, that the three countries will cease to be members of ECOWAS from today, the 29th of January 2025.
“On the 13th of January 2025, I visited all the three countries, to communicate the position of the authority with respect to their notification.”
Touray said the commission was prepared to commence the modalities for their exit from the bloc and future engagements.
According to him, “We, as I have said, are putting in place structures that will allow for discussions. Communication from two of the countries indicate their intention to sit and discuss with ECOWAS, and we look forward to those discussions.
“My office told me just while coming here that another response has come, but we are positive that all three countries will respond.”
He, however, stressed that the commission’s doors were still open for the countries’ return.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, warned that the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS would have far-reaching consequences for regional security, economy, and integration efforts.
Tuggar, in a statement by his spokesman, AlKasim AbdulKadir, said the exit of the countries from ECOWAS was a complex issue that required careful consideration and diplomatic efforts to address the underlying concerns.
He stressed that the decision to impose sanctions on the countries was a collective one made by the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, stating that President Bola Tinubu had been working tirelessly to address the concerns of the three countries through diplomatic channels.
Tuggar said, “Several delegations have been sent to these countries, and the presidents of Togo and Sierra Leone have been appointed as mediators to facilitate dialogue.
“Additionally, ECOWAS has lifted sanctions on these countries, paving the way for potential reconciliation.”
Tuggar added that the security implications of the exit were a significant concern, as the region was already grappling with terrorism and humanitarian crises.
He said, “ECOWAS has established a 1,650-man strong brigade to combat terrorism and offered financial assistance to support the affected countries in their fight against terrorism.
“The economic implications are also substantial, as these countries will no longer be part of the regional economic community, potentially limiting their access to markets and hindering economic growth.
“The withdrawal may also disrupt regional integration efforts, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“The African Union and other international organisations have expressed concerns about the potential impact on regional integration efforts and the stability of the continent.”