Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger officially withdraw from ECOWAS Form new security alliance

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially confirmed the withdrawal of three member countries — Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger — from the organization, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media otulets.

According to a communiqué issued by ECOWAS, "The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger is considered to have taken place as of January 29, 2025."

However, in a gesture of regional solidarity and in the best interests of the people, the organization has kept the door open for dialogue with the three nations.

The withdrawal means that some 73 million people are leaving the community and that its geographical area is more than halved.

ECOWAS also announced that it will continue to recognize the passports of nationals from the three countries bearing the ECOWAS emblem. Furthermore, goods and services from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will still receive the preferential treatment typically afforded to ECOWAS members, and their citizens will maintain visa-free travel within the bloc.

The decision for the three countries to leave ECOWAS was made on January 28, 2024. Prior to this, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger had formed the Alliance of Sahel States (ASC) and later the Confederation of Sahel States (CSC) with the goal of creating a sovereign African space in areas such as security, politics, geostrategy, and economics.

ECOWAS, a 15-nation regional bloc established in 1975, was created with the aim of promoting cooperation and integration to improve living standards and maintain economic stability. Over the years, it has grown into the region’s leading political authority, often working with member states to address domestic challenges spanning politics, economics, and security.

Although the departure of the three countries greatly diminishes the bloc's area, the member states' combined economic output will be reduced by just 8%, as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso are among the 10 least developed countries in the world.

Although they possess enormous natural resources, such as gold and uranium, these are mostly mined by European and North American companies.

In addition, all three are facing problems posed by Islamist terrorist groups within their borders.

By Tamilla Hasanova