A major crisis Sunday hit the 49-year old Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), following a declaration by three Sahel nations who in a joint statement on state televisions said that they had made a “sovereign decision” to leave the regional bloc “without delay”.
The juntas said they have “decided in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the ECOWAS,” alleging that the bloc has “moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism” after nearly 50 years of its establishment.
But the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) in a swift reaction said it is yet to receive a formal notification from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso about their intention to quit the regional bloc.
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The three countries have mulled a counter force, Alliance of Sahel States, against the regional bloc after the overthrow of the democratically elected government in Niger, announced the development on Sunday.
ECOWAS under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu had threatened military action if the Niger junta refused to transfer power, but the regime stood its ground as Mali and Burkina Faso vowed to fight in defence of Niger.
On Sunday, the leaders of the three Sahel nations said they had taken a sovereign decision to pull out their countries from ECOWAS.
ECOWAS Commission in Abuja said it had been working with the three countries for restoration of constitutional order.
The Commission insisted that Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso remained important members of the Community and the Authority of Heads of State and Government remained committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.
