IPNEWS: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger will have a six-month grace period following their exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), scheduled for January 29, a year after the countries announced their intentions to leave.
The decision, reached at a summit of West Africa’s main political and economic group this weekend in the Nigerian capital Abuja, was seen as a last-ditch effort to dissuade the three countries from leaving, a move the bloc has thus far been unable to halt. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger reaffirmed that their decision to leave is “irreversible”.
The three countries, located in the insurgency-torn central Sahel region, have formed their own group called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The new effective departure date has now been extended to July 29, although January 29 will still be the official withdrawal date. The bloc hopes to use the six-month transition period to convince the countries to return.
On Saturday, the three nations stated that their territories would remain visa-free for all ECOWAS citizens post-exit. This move has alleviated concerns that their departure could threaten free trade and movement for the 400 million people living across the region.
Among those who attended the summit was Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who has served as a mediator between the 15-member bloc and the three countries set to leave.
The Senegalese president, who was appointed to lead negotiations in July, said he was “making progress” in talks with the three countries and added that there was no reason for them not to maintain relations amid ongoing security concerns in the region, where al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) have gained ground.
The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS would mark the culmination of a tumultuous period for the Sahel, where a series of coups since 2020 has brought military authorities to power. The new governments have fostered closer ties with Russia at the expense of their former colonial ruler, France, and other one-time allies from the region and beyond.
Meanwhile, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., delivered a compelling address today at the 66th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government. The session, held in Abuja, Nigeria, brought together regional leaders to discuss pressing challenges and chart a path forward for the West African bloc.
In his remarks, President Boakai highlighted key issues undermining regional stability, including political transitions, security threats, and the impending withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS in January 2025. He called for decisive and unified action to address these challenges and reaffirmed Liberia’s unwavering commitment to regional unity, peace, and sustainable development.
Addressing Regional Instability and Security Challenges
President Boakai expressed profound concern over the growing insecurity in the Sahel Region and the destabilizing effects of political transitions in some member states. Stressing the critical importance of unity, he declared:
“No force, no matter how strong, can crush a united people. In unity, our region is stronger.”
He also advocated for lifting sanctions on Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, urging dialogue and reconciliation to reintegrate these nations into the ECOWAS framework. President Boakai reaffirmed Liberia’s support for mediation efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the affected countries.
Tackling Socio-Economic Challenges
The Liberian leader underscored the socio-economic crises fueling instability across the region, such as rising unemployment, human trafficking, and the drug epidemic. He called on ECOWAS leaders to prioritize youth empowerment and address the root causes of these challenges to strengthen regional resilience.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of enhancing collective security through improved intelligence sharing and robust early warning systems to mitigate threats before they escalate.
Liberia’s Commitment to ECOWAS Obligations
President Boakai acknowledged Liberia’s outstanding financial obligations to ECOWAS but assured the body of his administration’s efforts to address them.
“Since this Administration took office, we have made modest efforts to demonstrate our commitment to reducing the substantial obligations we inherited,” he stated.
Liberia’s Role in Regional and Global Diplomacy
The President celebrated Liberia’s leadership within ECOWAS, including its active participation in initiatives like GIABA (the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering) and the ECOWAS Parliamentary Committee on Peace and Security. He also highlighted Liberia’s successful bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2026-2027, describing it as a milestone in the nation’s growing role in global diplomacy.
A Vision for a Resilient West Africa
In his closing remarks, President Boakai called on his counterparts to embrace dialogue, peace, and regional cooperation. He urged them to work collectively toward a stable, prosperous, and unified West Africa.
“Together, we can confront the challenges of our time and build a future that serves the interests of all our peoples,” he said.
Moving Forward
The 66th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS continues with deliberations on strategies to tackle regional instability, economic challenges, and the bloc’s future direction. The outcomes of this high-stakes meeting will shape the collective response to the urgent issues facing West Africa and reaffirm the region’s commitment to integration and development.
