ECOWAS Responds to the Exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has released a statement in response to the alleged withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic from the regional alliance. Contrary to circulating reports, ECOWAS clarified that it has not officially received direct notification from the three member states regarding their decision to exit the organization.
In a communication shared via its X handle on Twitter, @ecowas_cedeao, on Sunday, January 28, ECOWAS conveyed, "The ECOWAS Commission, as directed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, has been diligently collaborating with these countries for the restoration of constitutional order. Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain integral members of the Community, and the Authority maintains its commitment to seeking a negotiated solution to the political impasse."
The Commission assured that it is closely monitoring the unfolding developments and will make additional statements as the situation progresses.
As previously reported, the military leaders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso jointly declared their withdrawal from ECOWAS, expressing concerns about the organization's departure from its foundational ideals and the spirit of Pan-Africanism. Colonel Amadou Abdramane, the spokesperson for the Niger junta, conveyed disappointment, stating, "After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has deviated from the ideals of its founding fathers."
Furthermore, President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d'Ivoire labeled the coup plotters in Niger as terrorists. He emphasized that the decision to deploy standby forces to Niger was a collective effort aimed at putting an end to military rule in the country.