ECOWAS Extends Deadline for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to Reconsider Exit
ECOWAS has given Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger a six-month extension until July 2025 to reconsider their plans to exit the regional bloc. Three Sahel countries ruled by military juntas announced their withdrawal earlier this year, citing dissatisfaction with sanctions and ECOWAS’s allegiance to France. The move marks the first time in the EU’s 50-year history that a member state has sought to leave. Despite diplomatic efforts by ECOWAS, including mediation by Senegalese President Basilou Diomaye Faye and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, the three countries stuck to their decision to form their own the Alliance of Sahel States and turned to Russia. Analysts say the withdrawal of the three countries could disrupt regional security, free trade and mobility. However, countries of departure have guaranteed visa-free entry to West African citizens, although there are restrictions on individuals they deem “unacceptable immigrants”.
source: data warehouse
