The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a six-month ultimatum, from January 29 to July 29, 2025, to Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to reconsider their decision to exit the regional bloc.
A statement by Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga disclosed this on Sunday.
According to the statement, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, announced the six-month grace on Sunday in Abuja after the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
The development follows the elapse of the one-year statutory period since the three countries first filed their decision to withdraw.
ECOWAS stated; “The Authority takes note of the notification by the Republic of Burkina Faso, Republic of Mali and Republic of Niger of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.
“The Authority acknowledges that by the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from January 29, 2025.
“The Authority decides to set the period from January 29, 2025 to July 29, 2025, as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period.
“In this regard, the Authority extends the mandate of the President of Togo and the President of Senegal to continue their mediation role up to the end of the transition period to bring the three member countries back to ECOWAS.
“Without prejudice to the spirit of the opening, the Authority directs the President of the Commission to launch withdrawal formalities after the end of the deadline of January 29 2025 and to draw up a contingency plan covering various areas.
