ECOWAS Parliament Rallies Efforts to Bring Back Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Ahead of Exit Deadline. By Raymond Enoch
As the deadline for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger’s formal exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) approaches, parliamentarians within the bloc are intensifying efforts to encourage the trio to reconsider their departure. The three Sahelian nations, under military-led governments, announced their withdrawal in early 2024, citing dissatisfaction with ECOWAS’s handling of regional coups and its perceived alignment with Western powers.
In a recent extraordinary session held in Lagos, ECOWAS lawmakers expressed deep concerns over the potential fragmentation of the regional bloc. Nigerian lawmaker Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante emphasized that ECOWAS was originally founded for economic integration, not solely for promoting democratic governance. He critiqued the bloc’s oversight mechanisms and called for a more effective approach to regional cooperation.
Liberian Senator Edwin Snowe echoed these sentiments, describing the departure as unfortunate and expressing hope that, should these nations return to democratic rule, their citizens would advocate for rejoining ECOWAS. He highlighted the importance of unity in the region and the detrimental effects of disintegration.
Senator Osita Izunaso of Nigeria noted the six-month transition period until July 29, 2025, as a window for potential reconciliation. He suggested that while the departing nations cannot be compelled to remain, maintaining bilateral and multilateral cooperation is crucial.
Ghanaian MP Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah warned that the exit could weaken ECOWAS’s economic influence, reducing the bloc’s market size and hindering cross-border business activities. He revealed that he had been part of a mediation team aimed at engaging the Sahel nations but was blocked by ECOWAS heads of state, underscoring the challenges in diplomatic efforts.
In response to the growing concerns, the ECOWAS Parliament has proposed the establishment of an Ad hoc Mediation Committee. Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate and Acting Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Barau Jibrin, announced plans to initiate this committee to engage with the leadership of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The committee’s mandate would be to facilitate dialogue and work towards the reintegration of these countries into the regional bloc.
Despite the challenges, there remains cautious optimism among ECOWAS lawmakers. The upcoming months are critical in determining whether the departing nations will reconsider their stance or if ECOWAS will need to adapt its strategies to maintain regional unity and stability.
