Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger get 6 months to reconsider withdrawal from ECOWAS

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has given Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger a six-month window, from January 29 to July 29, 2025, to reconsider their decision to withdraw from the regional bloc.

The announcement was made on Sunday in Abuja by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, following the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

“The Authority takes note of the notification by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS,” Touray stated.

“By the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members from January 29, 2025. However, ECOWAS has decided to set a transitional period from January 29 to July 29, 2025, to keep the doors open for the three nations to reconsider their withdrawal.”

As part of the transitional arrangement, ECOWAS extended the mediation mandates of Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye until the end of the grace period.

Their roles will focus on fostering dialogue and exploring pathways for the three countries to return to the bloc.

In the event the transition period lapses without resolution, ECOWAS will begin withdrawal formalities and prepare a contingency plan to manage political and economic relations with the departing nations.

To this end, the Council of Ministers has been directed to convene an Extraordinary Session in the second quarter of 2025 to finalize separation modalities.

The Authority commended the diplomatic engagement led by Présidents Faure Gnassingbé and Bassirou Diomaye Faye, as well as the efforts of ECOWAS Chairman, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, and other member states.

President Tinubu lauded the leaders for their spirited discussions during the Summit and their commitment to addressing the region’s pressing challenges.

“As we move forward to implement the outcomes of this Summit, let us remain united in our determination and steadfast in our commitment to the principles that bind us together as a Community,” Tinubu said.

“I call on all Member States to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the decisions reached here translate into tangible benefits for our citizens.”

Tinubu urged the leaders to champion the ideals of freedom, justice, democracy, and good governance, emphasising the need for a peaceful and prosperous West Africa.

Tinubu also extended congratulations to the outgoing Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, on his valedictory session, and praised Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, whom he called “Mr. Democrat,” for his contributions to democratic governance.

The six-month grace period offers a glimmer of hope for Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to reconcile with ECOWAS and avoid a complete withdrawal from the bloc.

As the region faces mounting political and security challenges, the decisions and diplomatic efforts over the coming months will shape the future of West African unity and cooperation.