ECOWAS Parliament Expresses Concern Over Continued Absence Of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger

Lome, Togo – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has expressed growing concern about Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Niger Republic’s continued absence from the regional bloc since their withdrawal earlier this year.

Despite numerous attempts at reconciliation, the three countries have yet to respond to calls for their return, raising concerns about the consequences for regional stability and citizen welfare.

Speaking at the ongoing 2024 Third Extraordinary Session and Second Parliamentary Seminar in Lome, Togo, ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima acknowledged the three countries’ slow progress towards reintegration.

“We have taken numerous initiatives at all levels of the ECOWAS structure. “We have written to the three countries, but they have not responded,” she explained.

The Speaker emphasised that, despite this, ECOWAS will continue to engage in dialogue and work towards reconciliation with estranged members.

The absence of these countries has caused concern among parliamentarians. Hon. Shiaka Musa Sama of Sierra Leone expressed concern about the impact on citizens, urging the bloc to increase efforts to bring them back.

The situation is the result of military takeovers in the three countries in recent years. ECOWAS imposed sanctions and threatened military intervention to restore democracy in Niger, prompting the three countries to leave the organisation and form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

Since then, the AES has taken steps to establish its independence from ECOWAS, such as issuing new biometric passports and removing the ECOWAS logo from official documents.

The continued absence of these countries poses a significant challenge to ECOWAS, calling into question the region’s long-term stability and unity.

The Parliament’s call for reconciliation emphasises ongoing efforts to close the gap and address the issues that led to the separation.