ECOWAS Gives Burkina Faso, Mali, And Niger 6-Month Deadline To Reconsider Their Exit

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has given Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger a six-month deadline, from January 29 to July 29, 2025, to reconsider their decision to leave the regional group.

This was disclosed on Sunday, December 15, by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy).

The announcement was made following a statement from Dr. Omar Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission.

Touray shared the news in Abuja after the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

This decision comes after the one-year period since the three countries first announced their intention to withdraw.

ECOWAS acknowledged the notification from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger about their plans to exit, but emphasized that under Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, the countries will officially stop being members on January 29, 2025.

It stated; “The Authority takes note of the notification by the Republic of Burkina Faso, Republic of Mali and Republic of Niger of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.

“The Authority acknowledges that by the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from January 29, 2025.

“The Authority decides to set the period from January 29, 2025 to July 29, 2025, as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period.

“In this regard, the Authority extends the mandate of the President of Togo and the President of Senegal to continue their mediation role up to the end of the transition period to bring the three member countries back to ECOWAS.

“Without prejudice to the spirit of the opening, the Authority directs the President of the Commission to launch withdrawal formalities after the end of the deadline of January 29 2025 and to draw up a contingency plan covering various areas.

“The Authority directs the Council of Ministers to convene an Extraordinary Session during the 2nd quarter of 2025 to consider and adopt both separation modalities and the contingency plan covering political and economic relations between ECOWAS and the Republic of Niger, Republic of Mali and Burkina Faso,” Touray read from the communiqué.

To allow time for reconsideration, ECOWAS has set a transitional period from January 29, 2025, to July 29, 2025, keeping the door open for the three nations to rejoin the organization.

During this period, the Presidents of Togo and Senegal will continue their mediation efforts to bring the countries back into the fold.

If the countries do not change their decision by the end of the deadline, ECOWAS will begin the formal withdrawal process, including a contingency plan to handle political and economic relations with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

An Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers will also be held in the second quarter of 2025 to finalize the separation process.

ECOWAS leaders praised the diplomatic efforts of President Bassirou Faye of Senegal, President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, and President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria in trying to resolve the issue.

In his closing speech, President Tinubu commended the leaders for their productive discussions and stressed the importance of unity in tackling the region’s challenges.

He encouraged member states to turn the Summit’s outcomes into tangible benefits for their citizens and remain committed to the shared principles of the ECOWAS community, such as democracy, good governance, and security.

Tinubu also praised outgoing African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat and wished Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo continued success, acknowledging his contributions to ECOWAS and democracy.

KanyiDaily recalls that ECOWAS recently told Niger’s coup leaders that it was “not too late” to reconsider their position in the face of calls for them to return the country to civilian rule.