West Africa : Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Walk Out of ECOWAS
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is losing three of its members. In a joint statement dated January 28, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Colonel Assimi Goïta, and General Abdourahamane Tiani, respectively Presidents of the transitions in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, announced their decision to withdraw from the West African organization, « with immediate effect », as they no longer consider membership beneficial.
This is due to a number of inconsistencies on the part of the organization and an attitude that has become « a threat to its member states and populations, which it was supposed to ensure happiness for ».
The states of the Sahel States Alliance (AES) are no longer members of ECOWAS. In a note signed by their spokespersons, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger list a number of factors that led to this decision.
For these three countries whose former Heads of State were co-founders of ECOWAS in 1975, the institution has turned its back on its ideals of solidarity, fraternity, development, mutual assistance, and peace.
It has become an organization in the service of imperialist powers, unable to « provide assistance to our states in the context of our existential struggle against terrorism and insecurity », lament the transitional leaders.
The tipping point, according to the three countries, is the inhumane and degrading sanctions imposed on them when they decided to take control of their destiny.
« It has adopted an irrational and unacceptable posture by imposing illegal, illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible sanctions, in violation of its own texts », specifies the statement, which includes the list of sanctions provided by ECOWAS texts in case of non-compliance with obligations.
Therefore, the three Sahelian countries, « taking all their responsibilities in the face of history and responding to the expectations, concerns, and aspirations of their populations, decide in full sovereignty to withdraw without delay Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States ».
With the departure of these three important members, which comes after Mauritania’s withdrawal in 2000, ECOWAS is now reduced to 12 member states. This development raises questions about the organization’s future.
