Wednesday, January 29, 2025 -The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, on Wednesday officially recognized the exit of three of its former members: Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic.
The trio’s exit became effective on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, upon
the expiration of a one-year notice period.
However, in the spirit of regional solidarity, ECOWAS asked its member
countries to still recognize the national passports of the three countries
bearing the ECOWAS logo until further notice.
A statement by the ECOWAS Authority said its doors remain open for more
engagements with the three countries, requesting its member states to recognize
national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo held by the
citizens of the exiting countries until further notice.
The West African bloc also urged its members to continue to treat goods
and services coming from the three countries in accordance with the ECOWAS
Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy.
It also asked member states to allow citizens of the three affected
countries to continue to enjoy the right of visa-free movement, residence, and
establishment in accordance with the ECOWAS protocols until further notice, and
to provide full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the three
countries in the course of their assignments for the Community.
“These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the
modalities of our future engagement with the three countries by the ECOWAS
Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“The Commission has set up a structure to facilitate discussions on
these modalities with each of the three countries. This message is necessary to
avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our people during
this transition period,” the statement concluded.
Recall that scores of people on Tuesday rallied in Niger and Burkina
Faso in support of the withdrawal of their
countries from
the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which is due to take
effect Wednesday.
0 Comments