The ECOWAS Council of Ministers held a meeting in Accra, Ghana, to discuss the exit of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the regional organization. Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister and Council Chairman, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, announced this in a statement.
“The Extraordinary Session, which opened on April 22, follows directive from the Authority of Heads of State and Government during its 66th Ordinary Session, mandating the Council to adopt modalities and a contingency plan for the disengagement of the three Sahelian nations.
“The ECOWAS Commission is expected to present memoranda addressing the withdrawal process, suspension of programmes in the affected countries, and challenges related to the free movement of people, goods and services.
“Additionally, the Council will examine the potential relocation of ECOWAS institutions and agencies currently based in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger with an eye toward mitigating any disruptions caused by their exit,” Tuggar said.
He said the session marked a difficult moment in ECOWAS’s history, adding it was never the community’s wish to deliberate on the withdrawal of member states.
“In recognising the sovereignty of these nations under their current military governments, we must now adapt and chat a forward-looking path”.
He urged the ministers to embrace institutional renewal and recommitment to regional integration, emphasising ECOWAS remain the most integrated regional bloc in Africa, underpinned by harmonised policies and shared vision for political, economic and security cooperation.
“As we look ahead, our responsibility is to maintain the ECOWAS legacy and pass it on stronger to the next generation. Our unity has been tested before and we emerged stronger. We will do so again,” he stated.
The chairman of the council emphasised the need for the ministers to engage in constructive deliberations and ensure the effective implementation of the countries withdrawal, reaffirming ECOWAS remain the premier platform for tackling West Africa’s collective challenges.
“Membership, as the saying goes, has its privileges,” he added.
He expressed appreciation of member states to the government and people of Ghana for their hospitality in hosting the critical session on the sideline of the inauguration of “ECOWAS@50” celebrations.
The minister called the commemorative events a fitting moment to reflect on the bloc’s successes and ambitions, noting that the gathering showed a strong dedication to strengthening the sub-regional community and achieving ECOWAS’s fundamental goals.
