ECOWAS Holds High-Level Talks in Ghana on Withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has begun a crucial two-day summit in Accra, Ghana, to address the formal exit of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the regional bloc.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, ECOWAS disclosed that the meeting will focus on determining the modalities of the three countries’ withdrawal and the broader implications for ECOWAS institutions and agencies operating within their borders.
The session aims to establish a structured framework for engagement with each of the departing nations, allowing for diplomatic dialogue and a clearer understanding of next steps.
“Key items on the agenda include the withdrawal process and its impact on ECOWAS operations. The discussions will also explore broader regional concerns,” the statement read.
This development follows the recent imposition of a 0.5 percent import duty by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso — on goods entering their territories from ECOWAS countries. The policy, which excludes humanitarian aid, challenges ECOWAS’s principles of free trade and movement within the region.
The three nations, governed by military regimes, formally announced their departure from ECOWAS in January 2025, citing political and ideological differences. The bloc now seeks to recalibrate its diplomatic and economic engagement strategy in light of the shifting regional landscape.
