IPNEWS: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially acknowledged and approved the withdrawal of the three Sahelian states—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—from the regional bloc.
Following their joint announcement of intent to leave in January 2024, the withdrawal became officially effective on January 29, 2025, marking a historic split in the 50-year-old organization.
The three nations have formalized their own regional bloc, known as the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).
Effective January 29, 2025, the AES countries began circulating their own common travel passports, independent of the ECOWAS logo.
In September 2025, the AES nations also announced their coordinated withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing perceived bias against African nations.
Despite the official exit, ECOWAS has implemented several measures to minimize disruption for the region’s 400 million citizens:
ECOWAS initially established a transition period (running from January 29 to July 29, 2025) to keep the door open for mediation and potential return, though the AES leaders have consistently rejected rejoining.
ECOWAS continues to recognize national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo from these three countries “until further notice” to protect the right of citizens to travel and reside within the remaining member states.
Goods and services from the AES countries still receive treatment under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and investment policies for the time being.
Regional leaders, including the presidents of Togo and Senegal, were previously mandated to continue mediation efforts to bridge the diplomatic rift.
The bloc is now reduced to 12 active member states Benin, Cape Verde,Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal,Sierra Leone, and, Togo. (Note :Guinea remains suspended following its 2021 coup but has not formally withdrawn).
