The ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three Member States about their intention to withdraw from the Community.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has denied any knowledge of the withdrawal of membership of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the Community.
The leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, on Sunday, in a joint statement read out on Niger national television, announced their immediate withdrawal from the body.
According to the statement read by Colonel Amadou Abdramane, Niger junta spokesman, “After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism,”
“The organization notably failed to assist these states in their existential fight against terrorism and insecurity,”
Reacting, ECOWAS released a statement saying it was yet to receive such notice.
The communique read in part, “The attention of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) has been drawn to a statement broadcast on the National Televisions of Mali and Niger announcing the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS.
“The ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three Member States about their intention to withdraw from the Community.
“The ECOWAS Commission, as directed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, has been working assiduously with these countries for the restoration of constitutional order. Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.”
Recall that in September 2023, the three countries signed a mutual defense pact to assist one another against armed rebellion or external aggression.
These countries have been struggling with jihadist violence and poverty since coups took place in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020.