The deadline for Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso’s resignation from the Economic Community of West African States expires today, causing substantial instability in the area.
This comes as Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, prepares to inform the media on the three Sahel States’ withdrawal.
ECOWAS banned these three nations in January 2024 after military coups removed their elected administrations.
Joel Ahofodji, Head of Communication at the ECOWAS Commission, stated that letters were issued asking for talks with the three nations’ junta-led administrations.
“ECOWAS has issued letters asking for meetings. “We are awaiting official responses from the countries,” Ahofodji stated. When asked if the nations had contacted out to reconsider their withdrawal, he said, “No.”
This diplomatic push comes as ECOWAS prepares to ratify Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso’s exit, after the expiration of the one-year notice period required by Article 91 of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty.
The group had set aside a six-month transition time, ending on July 29, 2025, to finalize exit protocols and investigate potential reconciliation.
