The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council of Ministers has convened an extraordinary session in Accra, Ghana, to deliberate on the recent withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the regional bloc.
Chairman of the Council and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
According to Tuggar, the session was in line with directives from the Authority of Heads of State and Government at the 66th Ordinary Session, which tasked the Council with developing modalities and a contingency plan for the disengagement of the three Sahelian countries.
He noted that the ECOWAS Commission would present memoranda on the withdrawal process, the suspension of programmes in the exiting nations, and the implications for the free movement of people, goods, and services.
“The Council will also consider relocating ECOWAS institutions and agencies currently based in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, to minimize operational disruptions,” Tuggar added.
Describing the meeting as a difficult moment in ECOWAS’s history, he stressed that the community never wished to discuss the exit of member states. However, he acknowledged the sovereignty of the countries under military rule and called for a forward-looking approach.
He urged ministers to recommit to regional integration and institutional renewal, describing ECOWAS as Africa’s most integrated regional bloc, anchored on harmonised policies and a shared vision for political, economic, and security cooperation.
“As we look ahead, our duty is to uphold the ECOWAS legacy and strengthen it for future generations. Our unity has been tested before, and we emerged stronger. We will do so again,” he said.
Tuggar called for constructive deliberations to ensure a smooth withdrawal process, reaffirming ECOWAS’s role as the premier platform for addressing West Africa’s collective challenges. “Membership, as the saying goes, has its privileges,” he noted.
He also appreciated the Ghanaian government and people for hosting the crucial session, held alongside the launch of “ECOWAS@50” celebrations.
Tuggar said the commemorative events were a timely reflection on ECOWAS’s achievements and future goals, showcasing a united commitment to advancing regional cooperation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on January 29, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso officially withdrew from ECOWAS. The three military-led nations had earlier formed the Alliance of Sahel States in September 2023. Their exit leaves ECOWAS with 12 member states.
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