• Three To Be Called AES
By Abiola Olawale
The official departure of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been formalized a year after the countries announced their intention to leave in January 2024.
However, despite their exit, ECOWAS has declared that certain privileges for their citizens within the bloc’s framework would continue.
In a statement on Wednesday, ECOWAS announced that though the Alliance of Sahel States’ withdrawal has become effective, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger would continue to enjoy some privileges.
According to the regional bloc, citizens from the three countries would still be recognised if they held national passports or identity cards with the ECOWAS logo.
The bloc also revealed that goods and services from the three countries would still be treated under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy.
Additionally, citizens of the three countries would retain their “right of visa-free movement, residence, and establishment by ECOWAS protocols until further notice.”
The statement added: “In the spirit of regional solidarity and in the interest of the people, all relevant authorities within and outside the ECOWAS Member States are requested to recognize national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo held by citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, until further notice.”
ECOWAS maintained that these measures aim to “avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our people during this transition period.” It also announced that a structure has been set up to facilitate discussions on the future relationship between the bloc and the three countries.
It would be recalled that on January 29, 2024, the three countries led by military regimes formally notified ECOWAS of their desire for “immediate” withdrawal.
However, the laws of the West African organisation required one year’s notice for them to be effective.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are now united in a confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
