Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger will officially withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) between January 29 and July 29, 2025. This timeline was disclosed by ECOWAS Commission President Alieu Touray during the 66th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government held in Abuja on Sunday.
The military-led governments of the three nations had earlier announced their intention to leave the bloc, citing ECOWAS’ alleged alignment with the interests of France, their former colonial power. Prior to their withdrawal announcement, the trio had been suspended from ECOWAS and subjected to sanctions, with Mali and Niger bearing severe consequences.
Touray noted that the extended timeline provides an opportunity for further diplomatic engagement, though the three countries have described their exit as “irreversible” and expressed their determination to pursue independent paths.
The announcement preceded a crucial ECOWAS summit where regional leaders had hoped to negotiate a solution to retain the nations within the bloc.