Ecowas leaves ‘doors open’ as exit of Junta-led nations takes effect

Ecowas, formed in 1975, is an economic and political organisation that seeks to promote regional integration among West African nations.

Recently, it has been challenged by a resurgence of military takeovers, blamed on the increasingly undemocratic governance by elected civilian administrations.

The military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have posed a major challenge to the bloc’s unity, refusing to heed its call for a transition to civilian rule and opting instead to leave, denouncing it as a stooge of the West.

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Relations between the three countries and the sub-regional body were soured by claims of external influence – particularly from France – on the bloc.

The three countries severed ties with former colonial master France, which frowned at the undemocratic change of governments.

The West African nations accused the Western allies of fuelling their decades-long Islamist insurgencies, which have claimed many lives in the region and displaced millions. Relations deteriorated further when the three countries turned to Russia.

The three countries have since formed a rival regional body to Ecowas, known as the Alliance of Sahel States, whose goal they say is to help fend off the threat of external aggression.

Analysts say this is the first time since the establishment of the bloc that its members have left in this way.

The Ecowas Commission’s appeal for them to reconsider their decisions fell on deaf ears.

In a statement issued on Tuesday confirming their official exit, the bloc urged its member states to remain engaged “in the spirit of regional solidarity and in the interest of the people,” until it determines its future engagement with them.

It also asked its remaining 12 member states to, among others actions, recognise all national passports and other identification documents bearing the Ecowas logo held by citizens of the three countries.

The statement also noted that goods and services from the three countries will be treated in accordance with the Ecowas Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and Investment Policy, and that all their citizens will continue to enjoy the right of visa free movement, residence and establishment in accordance with relevant Ecowas protocols.

Officials from these countries serving the Community will also remain in their services, the bloc said.

“These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future engagement with the three countries by Ecowas Authority of Heads of State and Government,” it said.

The regional bloc said it has set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries, noting that its message was meant to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives of businesses and people during the transition period.

Read: Ecowas exit: Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger test age-old ties with neighbours

Ecowas Commission president Omar Alieu Touray assured reporters in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on Tuesday that the bloc still hoped to collaborate with the trioto address some of the region’s challenges.

However, reports from the capitals of Burkina Faso and Niger suggest that the authorities are defiantly determined to press on with their new-found freedom.

Thousands of people rallied in both countries to celebrate the day.

In Niger, the rallies were reportedly led by members of the military-led government amid chants of anti-France slogans.

In Burkina Faso, Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo led the rallies in Ouagadougou’s Nation Square, along with other members of the cabinet.