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Several West African nations that previously requested to exit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following recent military coups are now reportedly making moves to reestablish ties with the regional bloc. These efforts come within the six-month window that was established last December for such re-engagement, signaling potential shifts in political dynamics within the region.
President Bola Tinubu departed Abuja on Wednesday for the 46th Ordinary Session of the African Union’s Executive Council, scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from February 12 to 16, 2025. The news was shared by Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication.
The event will include President Tinubu’s participation in the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State. As ECOWAS Chairman, he will also provide a thorough update on the regional bloc’s management of the ongoing issues in the region.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger declared their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024, accusing the regional organization of betraying its core values and bowing to external forces. The nations criticized the sanctions placed on them in response to their respective military coups, claiming they undermined sovereignty and self-determination.
Read also: ECOWAS Deadline: Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso’s Future Unclear
Mali (2020 and 2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023) saw a series of military takeovers that led to their suspension from ECOWAS and strained relations with the regional organization. In reaction, the three nations formed the Alliance of Sahel States, a new regional bloc focused on defense and collective assistance. These countries have also distanced themselves from traditional Western powers, particularly France, and turned to Russia for deeper political and military cooperation.
At the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on December 15, 2024, the bloc approved the withdrawal of the three estranged states by January 29, 2025.
However, it declared a six-month transition period lasting until July 29, 2025, within which it would engage in withdrawal protocol. President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, said the community would keep its doors open to any state that chooses to return to the fold within those six months.
Dare indicated that at least one or two of the countries, while moving toward disengagement, may be reconsidering and seeking to realign with ECOWAS under the terms offered.
“You’ve seen the military coups that occurred. You’ve seen what has come out of it and how he (Tinubu) has managed it even to the point of giving the three countries six months to rethink and reconnect with ECOWAS.
