AU wades into ECOWAS, junta-led states impasse, calls for dialogue
African Union (AU) has called for dialogue between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and junta-led countries of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso who had announced their exit from the sub-regional bloc, last Sunday.
The AU had backed ECOWAS’ efforts to restore democracy.
“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat learned with deep regret of the announcement of the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS,” the AU said in a statement.
“(He) calls for combined efforts so that the irreplaceable unity of ECOWAS is preserved and African solidarity strengthened.”
Mahamat further urged regional leaders to intensify dialogue between the ECOWAS leadership and the three countries, and said the AU was available to help.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s foreign ministries formally notified the ECOWAS Commission of their decisions to leave the bloc in written notices dated January 29.
According to the bloc’s treaty, member states wishing to withdraw must give a written one-year notice.
So the move to quit the 15-member bloc could yet take time to implement, opening a door for negotiations.
