In a significant move to maintain regional stability and solidarity, ECOWAS has announced that its doors will remain open to citizens and businesses from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger despite their withdrawal from the regional bloc.
in a press statement issued by the ECOWAS Commission, the regional body emphasized that, despite the formal exit of the three countries, measures have been put in place to minimize disruptions and ensure continued cooperation. Authorities across ECOWAS member states have been requested to recognize national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo for citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger until further notice.
Additionally, the statement highlights that trade relations will continue as usual, with goods and services from the three nations still benefiting from the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and investment policies. This move is seen as a strategy to prevent economic instability and maintain the free flow of commerce within the region.
Citizens of the three departing nations will also retain the right to visa-free movement, residence, and establishment within ECOWAS territories in line with the bloc’s existing protocols. This decision seeks to prevent immediate disruptions in mobility, ensuring that individuals from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger can continue to work, travel, and conduct business across the region.
ECOWAS further assured that full support and cooperation will be extended to its officials operating in these countries, allowing them to continue their assignments without restrictions. The Commission has established a framework for ongoing discussions with the leadership of the three nations to determine the future of their engagement with the bloc.
“This message is necessary to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our people during this transition period,” the statement read.
The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger marks a critical moment in West African geopolitics. The three Sahel nations, currently under military rule, had earlier expressed dissatisfaction with ECOWAS policies and imposed sanctions, citing sovereignty concerns. While their departure signals a shift in regional dynamics, ECOWAS’s decision to keep its doors open reflects a commitment to dialogue and continued cooperation despite political differences.
As the transition unfolds, observers will be keenly watching how negotiations progress and whether the three nations will reconsider their departure or seek alternative alliances outside ECOWAS.