Lomé, January 29, 2024 – (©AfreePress) – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission responded in a statement published on Sunday, January 28, 2024, to the immediate decision by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from the regional organization.
In an official statement following the decision of the three countries, the Commission clarified that it has not yet received a formal notification from the three member states regarding their intention to leave the organization.
« In accordance with the instructions of the Conference of Heads of State and Government, the ECOWAS Commission has worked diligently with the countries concerned to restore constitutional order. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger remain important members of the Community, and the Conference remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political deadlock, » stated the ECOWAS note.
The organization further emphasized that the Commission remains attentive to the situation and plans to make further statements later.
United within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, three countries sanctioned by ECOWAS after military coups, announced their decision to withdraw from the sub-regional organization effective Sunday, January 28, 2024, through a joint statement. This decision is motivated, according to these three countries, by grievances against ECOWAS for its perceived lack of action in protecting and securing the people against terrorism.
« The organization did not assist our states in the existential fight against terrorism and insecurity when these states decided to take their destiny into their own hands. It adopted an irrational and unacceptable posture by imposing illegal, illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible sanctions in violation of its own texts; all of which further weakened populations already suffering from years of violence imposed by instrumentalized and guided terrorist hordes, » criticized the leaders of these countries.
Raphaël A.
