Leaders and representatives of the Economic Community of West African States convened their 66th summit in Abuja, facing a delicate moment as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger declined to attend. These countries, each led by military governments, accuse the regional bloc of unfair sanctions and assert their intention to move forward without ECOWAS.
During the summit, chaired by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, ECOWAS confirmed the withdrawal of the three Sahel countries from the organization within a 6-month period.
The six-month transition period will commence on January 29, 2025, after which the exit of the three Sahel countries will become definitive on July 30, 2025, unless they reconsider their decision.
Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was to present a report on his recent attempts to mediate with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso during an earlier summit.
Participants also address pressing regional security issues, review the payment of the community levy, and examine the implementation of the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme to promote the free movement of goods and people.
The absence of three member states underlines the gravity of the current situation. Instability, military coups, and security crises now threaten the region’s cohesion. Delegates stress the need for strong leadership, open communication, and concrete steps toward reconciliation.
Member states established ECOWAS in 1975. Over the decades, it has evolved into a key political authority in the region. Countries such as Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and the Gambia depend on ECOWAS to encourage economic cooperation, resolve disputes, and maintain stability.
With recent events testing its foundational ideals, the bloc’s leaders recognize that they must act decisively. Achieving a stable, secure, and prosperous West Africa requires unity, engagement with dissenting members, and a renewed commitment to collective solutions.