The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) confirmed on Wednesday the formal exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the bloc, following their withdrawal last year.
In recent years, West Africa has faced a series of coups, with several countries within the 15-member ECOWAS body coming under military control.
“Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali, and the Republic of Niger have officially ceased their membership today, January 29, 2025,” ECOWAS announced in a statement.
The three countries declared their withdrawal in January 2024, after ECOWAS called for the restoration of democratic governance in Niger following a military coup in 2023. In response, they formed the Alliance of Sahel States, an alternative regional group, and introduced their own biometric passports.
ECOWAS stated that remaining member states have tentatively agreed to “keep ECOWAS doors open” by recognizing the national passports and identity documents featuring the bloc’s logo from the three countries. This will allow trade to continue under existing regional agreements and maintain diplomatic relations.
In December, ECOWAS granted Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger a six-month grace period to reconsider their exit.
“These arrangements will remain in place until the modalities of our future engagement with these three countries are fully determined by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government,” the statement concluded.