Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso pull out of ECOWAS

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso say they are severing ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The three West African countries announced their decision to pull out of the regional economic bloc in a joint statement on Sunday.

They criticised ECOWAS over the sanctions imposed on them as part of efforts to reverse the coups in their countries.

“After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism,” the statement read in part.

THE FRICTION BETWEEN ECOWAS AND THE JUNTA-LED STATES

Out of the three West African states, Mali was the first to be temporarily pulled out of ECOWAS in 2021.

The decision was taken after the country experienced two coups in less than a year.

After imposing sanctions on Mali, ECOWAS said suspending the country would ensure the return of democracy.

The bloc did not reverse its decision to date.

In January 2022, ECOWAS suspended Burkina Faso’s membership after a military coup led by Paul Henri Damiba, which saw the democratic government of former President Roch Kabore ousted by mutinying soldiers.

The decision was made during an extraordinary session to discuss military coups in Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

Last month, Niger was the latest country to be suspended after soldiers led by

Abdourahamane Tiani, a general and head of the presidential guard, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on account of “bad governance and worsening security”.

ECOWAS said the suspension is until constitutional order is restored in the country.

The bloc also asked the junta to shorten the duration of the transition period, currently set at three years.

Although Tiani agreed to the request, he did not specify how long the transition period would be revised to.