The bloc’s foreign ministers meet to discuss a wide range of issues such as postponement of presidential election in Mali and the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the community
By Bashir Aliyu
The foreign ministers of ECOWAS’ member states met in Abuja to discuss significant development in the region following the immediate withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the community following a series of coups that further threatened stability and strategic cooperation among the member states.
Following the meeting the bloc said the hasty exit of the three countries contravenes the Article 91 which stipulates that any member state that wishes to withdraw it membership must give at least one year’s notice and has to abide by the rules of the community during the withdrawal process.
The ECOWAS Commission President, Alieu Touray, has said the exit of the three countries was not well thought out, saying that unity is the most important for the community as the region grapples with instability caused by a series of military coups over the past three years, the resurgent threat of terrorism in the Sahel region as well as the recent postponement of presidential election in Senegal.
Dr. Alieu Touray said the decision by the three countries to withdraw from the bloc was not driven by patriotism.
“Excellences, while we were hoping to make more progress on transitions in terms of elections this year in these countries, it is really sad to note the unfortunate turn of events, as three member States – Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger –announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS “with immediate effect” through a joint-communiqué signed by representatives of all three countries on January 28, 2024.
“The hasty decision of withdrawal of membership of ECOWAS did not take into account the conditions for withdrawal of membership from ECOWAS, as espoused in the 1993 ECOWAS revised treaty.
“But more importantly, the three Member States have not really reflected on the implications of this decision on the citizens.”
The ECOWAS Commission President also condemned the postponement of presidential election Senegal, saying this could only further threaten the stability of the region which will not augur well for the community.
“These unfolding events in the region are posing threats to peace and political stability in our community.”
“There are high expectations out there, from ordinary people as well as our partners in the international community, that this meeting can come up with far-reaching decisions to transform our challenges into opportunities.
“It goes without saying that we are stronger, together. As a community, we project not just our common values and a more attractive market,” he said.
Nigeria Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, said the meeting was an opportunity to reassess the development in the region as well as the decision of the military rulers to arbitrarily withdraw from ECOWAS, with all the potential implications for the lives of their people, and indeed for the community as a whole.
“We are also here to review the unfolding situation in Senegal and develop a plan to navigate the resulting complexities. We have faced similar crises in the past. As a region, we have not been found wanting.
“There are high expectations out there, from ordinary people as well as our partners in the international community, that this meeting can come up with far-reaching decisions to transform our challenges into opportunities.
“It goes without saying that we are stronger, together. As a community, we project not just our common values and a more attractive market,” he said.
