The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) formally announced that the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the organization “came into effect today”, while keeping “the doors open”.

The Commission requests that “all relevant authorities”, both internal and external, be obliged to recognize “until further notice”, passports and identification cards bearing the entity’s logo that are used by citizens of the three countries.

In a written statement to the press, the ECOWAS Commission also calls on those authorities to continue “to treat goods and services from the three countries in accordance with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy.”

“In the spirit of regional solidarity and in the interest of the people, it is the decision of the ECOWAS Assembly to keep the doors of ECOWAS open.”

The Commission finally requests that citizens of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso be allowed to maintain the possibility of “enjoying the right to free movement, residence and establishment without visa, in accordance with ECOWAS protocols.

The decision should stand until further notice” and “provide full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the three countries in the course of their tasks for the Community”.

These provisions will remain in force “until the Conference of Heads of State and Government has fully determined” the organization of the future relationship with the three countries.

“The Commission has created a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries,” the Declaration adds, justifying its release “to avoid confusion and disruption to life and business” during this transition period.

On January 29, 2024, the three countries governed by regimes resulting from military coups formally notified ECOWAS of their desire to withdraw “immediately,” but the organization’s founding documents impose a one-year deadline for the withdrawal to take effect.

In a last-ditch effort to try to safeguard internal unity, the remaining 12 member states (Benin, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea-Conakry, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo), at their last summit last December, gave six months (until July 29) for the three countries to reevaluate their decision to leave the organization.

The three countries did not go back on their decision and the exit became official today.

Picture: © 2023 Kola Sulaimon / AFP