The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has given Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger six months to reconsider their decision to exit the regional bloc.
A statement by President Tinubu’s special adviser on information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga revealed that that the announcement was made by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, after the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
According to the statement, The six-month grace period, from January 29 to July 29, 2025, aims to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period
The decision to withdraw from ECOWAS was initially made by the three countries in response to the regional bloc’s economic and financial sanctions.
However, ECOWAS leaders have commended the exemplary diplomatic engagement of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal and President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, as well as the diplomatic efforts of the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu.
ECOWAS has directed the President of the Commission to launch withdrawal formalities and draw up a contingency plan covering various areas.
In his closing remarks, Chairman of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu encouraged the leaders to carry forward the optimism and the resolve that guided the deliberations emphasizing the importance of unity and collective resolve in addressing the region’s pressing challenges.
