Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali Exit ECOWAS but Citizens Retain Regional Privileges
Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), but their citizens will continue to enjoy certain regional privileges, the bloc announced on Wednesday.
In a statement, ECOWAS confirmed that the withdrawal of the three Sahel nations, now operating under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), had taken effect. Despite their exit, the bloc assured that citizens from the departing countries could still use ECOWAS-branded passports and identity cards for travel within the region. It also stated that goods and services from the three countries would continue to be treated under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), and their citizens would retain the right to visa-free movement, residence, and establishment in other ECOWAS member states. These measures, ECOWAS said, were intended to prevent confusion and disruption in the daily lives and businesses of the people affected by the transition.
The departure of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali from ECOWAS follows their official notification to the bloc on January 29, 2024, of their intent to leave immediately. However, ECOWAS regulations require a one-year notice period for such withdrawals to take full effect. The three military-led governments have long criticized ECOWAS, accusing it of imposing harsh and illegitimate sanctions following their respective coups. They also argue that the regional body has failed to adequately support their fight against jihadist insurgencies, instead siding with their former colonial power, France.
With their exit from ECOWAS now formalized, the three nations are forging new diplomatic and security alliances. Their military rulers have increasingly turned to alternative partners, including Russia, Turkey, and Iran, marking a significant shift in regional dynamics. ECOWAS, meanwhile, has established a framework to discuss future relations with the AES, though the long-term impact of this breakup on West Africa’s political and economic stability remains uncertain.
