The Economic Community of West African States Council of Ministers has convened a meeting in Accra, Ghana, to deliberate on the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the regional bloc.

The council chairman, Yusuf Tuggar, announced this in a statement.

“The extraordinary session follows directive from the Authority of Heads of State and Government during its 66th Ordinary Session, mandating the council to adopt modalities and a contingency plan for the disengagement of the three Sahelian nations.

“The ECOWAS Commission is expected to present memoranda addressing the withdrawal process, suspension of programmes in the affected countries, and challenges related to the free movement of people, goods and services.

“Additionally, the Council will examine the potential relocation of ECOWAS institutions and agencies currently based in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger with an eye toward mitigating any disruptions caused by their exit,” Tuggar said.

He said the session marked a difficult moment in ECOWAS’ history, adding it was never the community’s wish to deliberate on the withdrawal of member states.

He urged the ministers to embrace institutional renewal and recommitment to regional integration, emphasising that ECOWAS remain the most integrated regional bloc in Africa, underpinned by harmonised policies and a shared vision for political, economic and security cooperation.

The council chairman stressed the need for the ministers to engage in constructive deliberations and ensure the effective implementation of the countries’ withdrawal, reaffirming that ECOWAS remains the premier platform for tackling West Africa’s collective challenges.

The minister described the commemorative activities as a timely reflection of the bloc’s achievements and aspirations, saying the gathering demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advance the sub-regional community and fulfil ECOWAS’s core purpose.

On January 29, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger formally withdrew from the regional bloc.

The military-led governments in the three West African nations decided to withdraw from the bloc and formed their own security alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States, in September 2023.

With the withdrawal of the three states, ECOWAS now has 12 members.

(NAN)