December 17th (AMSP/CGTN) – – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has given Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso a six-month transition period to reconsider their decision to leave the bloc.
All three countries decided to leave ECOWAS earlier this year, saying they’d be better off working together. Analysts say the move highlights the importance the bloc places on regional unity, as it bids to resolves a host of challenges, not least a rise in violence.
At its 66th Summit in Abuja, the ECOWAS decided to offer Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso a transition period on leaving the bloc, keeping its doors open for dialogue and reconciliation. The Sahelian trio were set to leave on January 29th, but this “transition period” will allow them more time to assess the consequences of their decision.
Officials say it signals the bloc’s willingness to explore solutions even as the three nations insist on leaving.
“While the impending exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS is disheartening, we commend the ongoing mediation efforts led by their excellencies, President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal. These efforts underscore your collective commitment to preserving peace and unity in our region,” said the President of ECOWAS, Omar Touray.
The military regimes of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso had announced their withdrawal in January 2024, accusing ECOWAS of aligning with foreign interests, particularly France. They quickly set up their own defensive alliance. The juntas described their exit as “irreversible,” aiming to redefine their policies outside ECOWAS’ framework. But ECOWAS leaders remain hopeful or a U-turn, emphasizing that unity should override all other issues when trying to overcome regional challenges.
“Let me seize this moment to once more call on our brotherly countries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to reconsider their stance on exiting the Community. In unity and solidarity lie our strength as a community. We have therefore continued on the path dialogue, and diplomacy by leveraging our shared African values and vision of a united and cohesive sub-region,” said ECOWAS Chairman Bola Tinubu.
Despite the ongoing tensions, ECOWAS faces financial difficulties due to stalled projects, including the ECREEE solar water initiative in Liberia and Guinea. However, a significant development came with Nigeria’s full settlement of its community levy payments. This marks the first time in nearly two decades that the bloc’s largest economy has fulfilled its financial obligations.
“I’m therefore pleased to announce that on Friday 13th, December 2024 Nigeria paid 85 billion naira and 54 million US dollars, representing 100% of the 2023 Levy and the levy of 2024 up to July, 2024,” ECOWAS President Omar Touray disclosed.
As ECOWAS nears its 50th anniversary, leaders are pushing for deeper economic integration and emphasizing youth and women-focused initiatives to drive development. Reaffirming their commitment to unity as the foundation for regional peace and prosperity, they continue to urge Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to seize this transition period for renewed cooperation.
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