The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Foreign Affairs Ministers are currently meeting in Abuja, Nigeria over the membership withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic.
The ministers are also expected to deliberate on the mass protest in Senegal, which followed the postponement of the country’s presidential elections.
ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Alieu Touray, stated that the meeting will consider the notification of withdrawal of the three countries and wider implementations.
Recall that the three military-led West African countries had, on January 27, 2024 announced their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS, accusing the body of becoming a threat to its members.
The countries have had tense ties with ECOWAS since coups took place in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020.
All three were suspended from ECOWAS, with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions.
In the joint statement, the three countries accused ECOWAS of becoming a threat to its members, of being “under the influence of foreign powers,” and of betraying its founding principles. They also accused the regional body of failing to support their fight against “terrorism and insecurity,” while imposing “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions” following military coups.
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