ECOWAS has officially acknowledged the withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from the regional body. This decision followed a six-month grace period and was confirmed in a press release issued by the ECOWAS Commission on January 29, 2025.
The statement emphasized the importance of solidarity across the region and urged both member and non-member states to continue recognizing national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo. Additionally, the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) remains in effect, enabling trade between both member and non-member states. Citizens of non-member countries will still benefit from visa-free movement under ECOWAS protocols.
This move comes after a series of military coups in these countries: Mali’s first in 2020, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023. The coups strained relations with ECOWAS, which subsequently imposed sanctions and suspended the countries’ memberships. Though the reasons behind their withdrawal remain unclear, many speculate it is due to frustrations over governance challenges and the high cost of living.
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