WEST Africa’s regional body, ECOWAS, has approved a timeline for the exit of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, three countries that have faced military coups in recent years. This unprecedented move follows a year-long mediation effort and signals a significant moment in ECOWAS’s nearly 50-year history.
At a summit in Abuja, Nigeria, on Sunday, ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray announced that the transitional period for these nations would begin on January 29, 2025 and conclude on July 29, 2025. Despite growing tensions, the doors of ECOWAS will remain open to the countries throughout this period.
A historic decision for ECOWAS
This is the first time in ECOWAS’s history that a member state has sought to leave the bloc, with the three military juntas accusing ECOWAS of imposing harsh sanctions following their coups and not addressing their internal security concerns. The juntas, which took control of the countries in 2020 and 2021, have repeatedly rejected ECOWAS’s diplomatic attempts to reverse their departure.
The three nations have already begun exploring alternatives to ECOWAS, such as issuing their own travel documents and forming new alliances. ECOWAS faces the challenge of a potential loss of member benefits, including visa-free movement within the region, which could be at risk as the withdrawal progresses.
Challenges in reconciliation
ECOWAS leaders have struggled to maintain unity in the face of this unprecedented situation. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, chairing the summit, noted that the regional bloc’s ability to cooperate is being tested by global and regional challenges. ‘We must not lose sight of our fundamental responsibility, which is to protect our citizens and create an enabling environment where they can prosper,’ Tinubu said.
Despite efforts from ECOWAS envoys to mediate a resolution, the departure of the three countries represents a significant blow to the bloc. Babacar Ndiaye, senior fellow at the Timbuktu Institute for Peace Studies, called this split the biggest challenge in ECOWAS’s history.
ECOWAS faces tough road ahead
The chances of reversing the exit remain slim, as the military juntas have shown little willingness to commit to ECOWAS’s demand for a swift return to democratic rule. Accommodating the juntas ‘could risk further regional fragmentation’ while recognising them as legitimate authorities would represent ‘a serious departure from ECOWAS’s founding principles,’ Mucahid Durmaz, senior analyst at Verisk Maplecroft told The Associated Press (AP).
ECOWAS’s inconsistent approach to handling the coups has led to growing criticisms that the bloc’s actions are driven more by the political interests of member states than its core mission of promoting democracy. Durmaz added that ECOWAS’s failure to decisively manage the crisis has weakened its authority.
As these three countries move forward with their departure, the future of ECOWAS remains uncertain. The regional bloc faces a difficult task in preserving its unity while addressing the rising tide of military rule across West Africa.
