ECOWAS Ministers Tackle Mali Niger and Burkina Faso Exit, Plan Institutional Disengagement. By Raymond Enoch
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council of Ministers held an Extraordinary Session in Accra to confront one of the bloc’s most critical junctures yet: the formal withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the high-stakes session focused on developing contingency plans, including the potential relocation of regional institutions from the three Sahelian nations.
In his opening remarks, Tuggar thanked Ghana for its hospitality and praised the recent launch of the “ECOWAS at 50” celebrations as a timely reminder of the community’s legacy and aspirations.
“This gathering demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the advancement of our regional community and the fulfillment of ECOWAS’s core purpose,” Tuggar declared, setting the tone for deliberations.
The meeting followed a directive from the Authority of Heads of State and Government at the 66th Ordinary Session, tasking the Council with creating a framework for managing the disengagement of the withdrawing countries, while addressing concerns such as the suspension of programs and disruption to the free movement of people and goods.
With ECOWAS institutions still operating in the departing nations, ministers explored options for relocation, aiming to ensure continuity and minimize regional disruption. Tuggar acknowledged the gravity of the moment.
“It was never our wish to deliberate on the withdrawal of member states,” he said. “But in recognizing the sovereignty of these nations under their current military governments, we must now adapt and chart a forward-looking path.”
Despite the challenges, the Chair called on ministers to see the crisis as a springboard for institutional renewal and deeper integration.
“As we look ahead, our responsibility is to maintain the ECOWAS legacy and pass it on stronger to the next generation,” he affirmed. “Our unity has been tested before—and we emerged stronger. We will do so again.”
