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After one year of diplomatic tension, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso on Wednesday officially quit the Economic Community of West African States.
The withdrawal of the trio, which is under military rule, has dealt a significant blow to the main political and trade group in the West African sub-region.
The 50-year-old body is regarded as Africa’s most important regional group.
It is now uncertain what the future holds for the organisation.
However, announcing the exit of the formal exit of junta-led countries in a statement on Wednesday, the regional body’s leadership said in a statement that the group would “keep ECOWAS doors open” to the three countries in case they changed their minds.
“The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and Republic of Niger has become effective today, 29th January 2025,” ECOWAS said in a statement.
The ECOWAS had demanded a restoration of democratic rule in Niger, following a military coup in 2023.
However, the three states announced their withdrawal from the bloc last January, went ahead to set up their own bloc and launched their own biometric passports.
The remaining ECOWAS members tentatively agreed also agreed to continue recognising national passports and identity bearing the bloc’s logo from the countries, to continue trade under existing regional agreement, and to continue diplomatic cooperation with the countries.
“These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future engagement with the three countries of by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government,” ECOWAS said.
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