The Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS has given Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger six months, from January 29 to July 29, 2025, to reconsider their decision to withdraw from the regional bloc.
Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, announced the decision on Sunday in Abuja, following the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
“The Authority acknowledges the notification by the Republic of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali, and the Republic of Niger of their intention to withdraw from ECOWAS,” Dr. Touray said.
He further explained that under Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, the withdrawal would take effect on January 29, 2025. However, ECOWAS has set a transitional period extending to July 29, 2025, to allow the three nations to reconsider their decisions and keep dialogue open.
To facilitate this, the mandate of President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo and President Macky Sall of Senegal as mediators has been extended until the end of the transitional period.
“Without prejudice to this open-door approach, the Authority has directed the ECOWAS Commission to initiate formal withdrawal procedures if the January 29, 2025 deadline passes without a reversal and to prepare a contingency plan addressing various political and economic aspects,” the communiqué stated.
Additionally, the Council of Ministers has been instructed to convene an Extraordinary Session in the second quarter of 2025 to review and adopt separation modalities and a contingency framework for ECOWAS’s future relations with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
ECOWAS leaders commended the diplomatic efforts of Presidents Faure Gnassingbé and Macky Sall, as well as the mediation initiatives led by President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and other member states.
In his closing remarks, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of unity and collective resolve to tackle the region’s challenges.
“As we implement the decisions of this Summit, let us remain united and committed to the principles that bind us as a community,” he stated.
He urged member states to ensure that the Summit’s resolutions translate into tangible benefits for citizens, reaffirming the vision of a peaceful, secure, and prosperous West Africa.
“Together, we must champion the ideals of freedom, justice, democracy, and good governance, addressing the legitimate aspirations of our people,” Tinubu added.
The Nigerian President also extended congratulations to Moussa Faki Mahamat, the outgoing Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and praised Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, affectionately calling him “Mr. Democrat,” for his exemplary leadership and wisdom.
The Summit concluded with a renewed commitment to fostering regional stability and strengthening ECOWAS as a community of shared ideals and aspirations.
