Three West African Nations Leave ECOWAS Bloc.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger officially left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday. They gave notice to withdraw one year ago, in January 2024. The countries were unhappy with ECOWAS' growing ties to France.
ECOWAS said the three countries left the bloc, but it asked its members to recognize passports and ID cards from those nations if they have the ECOWAS logo. The bloc wants goods and services from the countries treated under ECOWAS trade and investment rules.
Citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger can still move, live, and work visa-free in other ECOWAS countries for now. ECOWAS said this will continue until it decides on future ties with the three nations. The bloc set up a group to discuss this with each country.
ECOWAS said it took these steps to prevent confusion and problems during the change. The three countries leaving have divided the bloc, leaving ECOWAS with an unclear future.
ECOWAS has been important for security and economic cooperation in West Africa. It must now adapt to the new situation. The departing countries do not want to follow the ECOWAS model anymore. They think it relies too much on foreign countries and does not focus enough on the Sahel region.
In Niger's capital, Niamey, many people gathered to celebrate leaving ECOWAS. The military government, which took power in a coup in 2024, strongly backs the exit. It wants closer ties with countries outside of ECOWAS.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger officially left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday. They gave notice to withdraw one year ago, in January 2024. The countries were unhappy with ECOWAS' growing ties to France.
ECOWAS said the three countries left the bloc, but it asked its members to recognize passports and ID cards from those nations if they have the ECOWAS logo. The bloc wants goods and services from the countries treated under ECOWAS trade and investment rules.
Citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger can still move, live, and work visa-free in other ECOWAS countries for now. ECOWAS said this will continue until it decides on future ties with the three nations. The bloc set up a group to discuss this with each country.
ECOWAS said it took these steps to prevent confusion and problems during the change. The three countries leaving have divided the bloc, leaving ECOWAS with an unclear future.
ECOWAS has been important for security and economic cooperation in West Africa. It must now adapt to the new situation. The departing countries do not want to follow the ECOWAS model anymore. They think it relies too much on foreign countries and does not focus enough on the Sahel region.
In Niger's capital, Niamey, many people gathered to celebrate leaving ECOWAS. The military government, which took power in a coup in 2024, strongly backs the exit. It wants closer ties with countries outside of ECOWAS.
