Mali officially informs ECOWAS of exit decision

Mali has officially written to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over its decision, last Sunday, to withdraw from the regional bloc with immediate effect.

This follows the ECOWAS Commission’s denial, Monday, of receiving any formal notification from the country, along with Burkina Faso and Niger Republic over their decision to exit the regional bloc in Africa.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali presents its compliments to the Economic Community of West African States and has the honour to inform it of the following:

“By joint press release dated January 28, 2024, Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger inform of their decision to withdraw jointly and without delay from the Economic Community of West African States.

“In this regard, this communication constitutes formal notification of this decision to the ECOWAS Commission Depositary Authority and for the information of ECOWAS Member States, the African Union, the United Nations and all relevant Organizations.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali takes this opportunity to renew to the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States the assurance of its distinguished consideration,” the statement by the Mali government through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs read, Tuesday.

Meanwhile, an official notification is yet to be received from Niger Republic and Burkina Faso. All three countries had in a joint statement announced their decision to exit the ECOWAS body citing irreconcilable differences following months of economic sanctions imposed by the member countries over continue military rule in the countries.

It would be recalled that ECOWAS Commission, had Monday, denied receiving any official notice from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso over their reported exit from the sub-regional bloc.

Responding to the reported withdrawal of membership by the three affected countries, last Sunday, the ECOWAS Commission, in a statement, Monday in response to the development, insisted that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger ’remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.’

The ECOWAS Commission., further raised concerns and emphasised that it has not yet received any official notification from the three member states regarding their intention to leave.

“The attention of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) has been drawn to a statement broadcast on the National Televisions of Mali and Niger announcing the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS.

“The ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three Member States about their intention to withdraw from the Community.

“The ECOWAS Commission, as directed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, has been working assiduously with these countries for the restoration of constitutional order. Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.

“The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves,” the statement by the ECOWAS Commission read, Monday.

In a surprise twist to the political impasse which had engulfed the sub-region and came to a head following the military take-over of government in Niger Republic which saw the ousting of the Mohammed Bazoum administration in July 2023.

The three countries are ruled by military leaders who overthrew democratic governments.

In 2021, Mali temporarily pulled out of ECOWAS after the country experienced two coups in less than a year.

ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Mali and suspended it as a member.

In January 2022, ECOWAS suspended Burkina Faso’s membership after a military coup led by Paul Henri Damiba, which saw the democratic government of former President Roch Kabore ousted by mutinying soldiers.

In December 2023, the bloc suspended the Niger Republic after soldiers led by Abdourahamane Tiani, a general and head of the presidential guard, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.

In a joint press statement, Sunday, the three countries announced exiting the sub-regional body, with immediate effect, claiming that ‘their economic interests are not guaranteed.’

“After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism,” Colonel Amadou Abdramane, Niger junta spokesperson, said in a statement.

Since toppling their various governments, and despite the sanctions, negotiations and threats of military intervention, the military leaders in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have failed to provide a clear time-table to return the countries to constitutional rule. Instead, they have hardened their stance against ECOWAS and accused it of being influenced by external powers.

The trio of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have also cut military and cooperation ties with former colonial master France and turned to Russia for security support.