The unexpected exit of Sahel countries including Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso will be given a priority during the meeting of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) slated to hold in Accra, Ghana’s capital tomorrow from Wednesday.
Recall that the three countries abandoned ECOWAS after the bloc placed various sanctions of them following a military take over. As a result, they formed a new bloc known as Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and have imposed a levy on ECOWAS member states, disrupting the free trade that the region enjoyed and escalating tensions.
The bloc, however, said that it has decided to “keep ECOWAS’ doors open,” and requested member nations to continue to accord the trio their membership privileges, including free movement within the region with an ECOWAS passport.
A statement issued on Tuesday from the Commission website stated that the modalities of the countries’ withdrawal and the potential implications for the bloc’s institutions operating within those states has been of great concern to the region.
“The bloc will also address other related matters of regional importance,” it added.
The meeting coincides with ECOWAS golden jubilee celebrations in Accra.
Established on May 28, 1975, in Lagos, ECOWAS was created to promote economic integration and cooperation among West African countries.
Its founding members aimed to create a single, large trading bloc that would foster collective self-sufficiency, enhance development, and improve living standards across the region.
However, the bloc began to make notable impact in 2020 when a series of military coups swept through member states undermining the its cohesion and democratic principles.
The critical turning point came with coups in Mali (2020 and 2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger Republic (2023), which led to these countries being suspended and subjected to sanctions due to their military takeovers and deferral of democratic elections.
