The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced Sunday their immediate withdrawal from the West African bloc ECOWAS, saying it has become a threat to member states.

The leaders of the three Sahel nations issued a statement saying it was a “sovereign decision” to leave the Economic Community of West African States “without delay”.

Struggling with jihadist violence and poverty, the regimes have had tense ties with ECOWAS since coups took place in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020.

All three — founding members of the bloc in 1975 — were suspended from ECOWAS with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions as the bloc tried to push for the early return of civilian governments with elections.

The sanctions were an “irrational and unacceptable posture” at a time when the three “have decided to take their destiny in hand” — a reference to the coups that removed civilian administrations.

The three nations have hardened their positions in recent months and joined forces in an “Alliance of Sahel States”.

The leaders’ joint statement added that 15-member ECOWAS, “under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to member states and peoples”.

Under pressure from the military regimes, France has removed ambassadors and troops and watched Russia fill the void militarily and politically.

The French army’s withdrawal from the Sahel — the region along the Sahara desert across Africa — has heightened concerns over the conflicts spreading southward to Gulf of Guinea states Ghana, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast.

The prime minister appointed by Niger’s regime on Thursday blasted ECOWAS for “bad faith” after the bloc largely shunned a planned meeting in Niamey.

Niger had hoped for an opportunity to talk through differences with fellow states of ECOWAS which has has cold-shouldered Niamey, imposing heavy economic and financial sanctions following the military coup that overthrew elected president Mohamed Bazoum.

Niger’s military leaders, wrestling with high food prices and a scarcity of medicines, have said they want up to three years for a transition back to civilian rule.

In Mali, the ruling officers under Colonel Assimi Goita had pledged to hold elections in February this year, but that has now been pushed back to an unknown date.

Burkina Faso, which has not been put under sanctions although Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power in September 2022, has set elections for this summer, but says the fight against the insurgents remains the top priority.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/01/just-in-burkina-mali-niger-pull-out-of-ecowas/amp/

Source na

ECOWAS has failed same way UN failed, what's the essence of UN if Russia - Ukraine war cannot be resolve? Israel - Gaza war cannot be resolved? North and South Korea tension is high, China is about to invade Taiwan. Iran and Pakistan is about to start war. To make it worst Sudan war led to lots of massacre and yet UN did nothing. Somaland is about to be invaded by Somalia. Western countries have stopped funding UN Refugees relief body. UN have failed let every diplomats return to his or her country.

Chimarto:
ECOWAS has failed same way UN failed, what's the essence of UN if Russia - Ukraine war cannot be resolve? Israel - Gaza war cannot be resolved? North and South Korea tension is high, China is about to invade Taiwan. Iran and Pakistan is about to start war. To make it worst Sudan war led to lots of massacre and yet UN did nothing. Somaland is about to be invaded by Somalia

The worst is au the very useless is ecowas

Babaken:
The worst is au the very useless is ecowas

That one doesn't even exist.

Chimarto:
ECOWAS has failed same way UN failed, what's the essence of UN if Russia - Ukraine war cannot be resolve? Israel - Gaza war cannot be resolved? North and South Korea tension is high, China is about to invade Taiwan. Iran and Pakistan is about to start war. To make it worst Sudan war led to lots of massacre and yet UN did nothing. Somaland is about to be invaded by Somalia

SO what do you want ecowas to do?

All the countries withdrawing have had years of bad governance, and it is manifesting. Many ecowas countries, including Nigeria, also have been badly governed.

That one is not something ECOWAS can solve.

UN cannot solve generations of issues that led to both the ukraine, and russia, Israel and Gaza. NOrth and south korea,Plus a lot as been done, but neither side listens. Deploying UN troops would just either make matters worse or delay issues to another time. At the end, all them countries have to be willing to sort themselves out.

Babaken:
The worst is au the very useless is ecowas

Let them leave, na guilty conscience dey worry them.

When the next coup plotters take over from them, they will return back to Ecowas, they know their days are numbered.

We will see where this Criminals in army uniforms will run to for asylum.

Alliance of sahel states ASS

I still wonder how the Economies of these heavily sanctioned countries are better than Nigeria.

MadamExcellency:
I still wonder how the Economies of these heavily sanctioned countries are better than Nigeria.

What nonsense are you imagining, Countries way their economy no even reach Kano State?

Africa....especially west African is truly not working. Their mentality is still warped in darkness. The best solution is for Europe or America to recolonize west Africa for another 100 years.

blacknp:
What nonsense are you imagining, Countries way their economy no even reach Kano State?

Size doesn't matter. Iceland has only 300,000 people.

MadamExcellency:
I still wonder how the Economies of these heavily sanctioned countries are better than Nigeria.

All of them are poorer than Nigeria.

No, it does not make APC better. APC still has not made our economy good...but all the countries you mentioned are in a bad state. ALL of them are also practically dependent on foreign help to fight their local bandits and millitants.

That's why they are pulling out of ECOWAS...because they hope the RUssians can help them with their security issues. (NIger is still allowing US troops on its territory though)

blacknp:
What nonsense are you imagining, Countries way their economy no even reach Kano State?

Size doesn't matter. Iceland has only 300,000 people. It's all about stability and growth in GDP per capital.

Backward fluctuations is dangerous.

MadamExcellency:


Size doesn't matter. Iceland has only 300,000 people. It's all about GDP per capital.

Iceland also has a diversifed economy. Neither of the three ECOWAS countries pulling out has a diversifed economy.

MadamExcellency:


Size doesn't matter. Iceland has only 300,000 people.

I said Kano State’s economy (GDP), not population.

Kano indigenes Dangote & Rabiu will buy the 3 countries combined, & will have small dollars still left to invest no shaking in the Nigeria stock exchange.

They can go to Hell. They have no contribution to ECOWAS.

Oya WAEC, do the needful!

blacknp:
I said Kano economy GDP, not population.

I meant backward fluctuations. Nigeria is going down while they are stable.

The citizens feel the impact when you go down. Nigeria lack stability.

Balablu built Lagos, and Nigeria. He has built Ecowas. But the building is so strong that the inhabitants are running for their lives, pulling away from the building.

Gazelle gagaraggaa is a nemesis and anything he touches crumble. Eg Fuel price, dollar rate, inflation and poverty rates

MadamExcellency:
I still wonder how the Economies of these heavily sanctioned countries are better than Nigeria.

Ignoramus, keep wandering.

MadamExcellency:


I meant backward fluctuations. Nigeria is going down while they are stable.

The citizens feel the impact when you go down. Nigeria lack stability.

Please my guy stop deceiving yourself, if they are any better why you never cross border go hustle for there?

Mention SA or Egypt, & I may not argue with you.

Nonsense talk!

Tinubu destroying ecowas that has been in existence for 48yrs within 8months!

Chimarto:
ECOWAS has failed same way UN failed, what's the essence of UN if Russia - Ukraine war cannot be resolve? Israel - Gaza war cannot be resolved? North and South Korea tension is high, China is about to invade Taiwan. Iran and Pakistan is about to start war. To make it worst Sudan war led to lots of massacre and yet UN did nothing. Somaland is about to be invaded by Somalia. Western countries have stopped funding UN Refugees relief body. UN have failed let every diplomats return to his or her country.

blacknp:
Please my guy stop deceiving yourself, if they are any better why you never cross border go hustle for there.

Mention SA or Egypt, & I may not argue with you.

Do you know about the report below and what is happening as we speak? They can now buy more than enough than before while we buy less.

Very good!!

FG has now been given the perfect excuse to drive the Malian Precious Stones Miners and dealers out of Oyo State

We were already looking for how to get rid of them after the Bodija explosion

Cancel all previous mining permits previous Govts may have given them

How can Malians be mining Oyo States Precious Stones

christistruth01:
Very good

FG has now been given the perfect excuse to drive the Malian Precious Stones Miners out of Oyo State

We were already looking for how to get rid of them

Always remember there is a difference between the people and the government.

How come it was reported that they are Lebanese, Chinese and Indian.

MadamExcellency:


Always remember there is a difference between the people and the government.

How come it was reported that they are Lebanese, Chinese and Indian.

It doesn't matter in this Case
It will be part of the Economic Sanctions against Mali

If FG doesn't take immediate action the Oyo State House of Assembly will take action for them by banning the 3 former ECOWAS Members from engaging in any Economic Activity in the State


Niger is already under Economic Sanctions now it just remains Mali and Bukina Faso to join it

Gov Makinde should announce that the West African Countries not in ECOWAS would not be permitted to engage in any Economic Activity in Oyo State and he should get the Oyo State House of Assembly to back him up


Use this opportunity to get rid of the Malian Precious Stones Miners in Oyo State
Let them go Mine for precious Stones in Mali

A good decision to leave ECOWAS led by President Ebola

Buhari who disobeyed ECOWAS court and he wasn't sanction.
Ecowas is a group of civilian dictators.Is Tinubu not their chairman?
The same Tinubu who bribed INEC chairman to declare him as president at midnight when everyone has gone to bed.

That's a welcome development