"ECOWAS Acknowledges Official Withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from Regional Bloc in January 2025.
International
In January 2025, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), headquartered in Abuja (Nigeria), officially acknowledged the withdrawal of three West African countries—Republic of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Republic of Niger—from the regional economic bloc.
- The departure followed the rejection by these countries of ECOWAS's demands to restore civilian rule. Their leaders have criticized ECOWAS for being overly influenced by France, their former colonial power.
- ECOWAS has urged the remaining 12 member states to continue recognizing the passports of the departing nations and maintain trade relations with them until further notice.
Main Point :- (i) The relationship between Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and ECOWAS deteriorated following the July 2023 coup that ousted Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum. ECOWAS strongly opposed the military takeovers and imposed sanctions on the countries.
(ii) In response, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso decided to formally withdraw from ECOWAS in January 2024, accusing the bloc of failing to protect its members and being overly influenced by foreign powers.
(iii) In September 2024, the three countries established the Alliance of Sahel States to enhance security cooperation. They remain under military rule following coups in recent years. The Sahel states are located in Africa's Sahel region.
About Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
President : Omar Touray
Headquarters : Abuja, Nigeria
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