LAGOS, Jan 29 — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) officially confirmed the exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the regional bloc, following their withdrawal last year. The decision takes effect as of January 29, 2025.
The three countries, all under military rule, initially announced their departure in January 2024 after ECOWAS called for a return to democratic governance in Niger following a 2023 military coup. In response, the junta-led states formed the Alliance of Sahel States and introduced their own biometric passports.
While ECOWAS acknowledged the exit, it also announced that trade and diplomatic relations would continue under existing agreements. The bloc has agreed to recognize the passports and identity documents of these countries, provided they bear the ECOWAS logo.
In December, ECOWAS had given the three states a six-month period to reconsider their decision, but this has not resulted in a reversal of their withdrawal. The organization noted that further discussions on future engagements would be held by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
