In Lagos, junta leaders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have announced their departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) despite pressure from the regional bloc to restore constitutional rule.
This decision is a setback for regional integration, as the bloc had previously suspended the three countries following military takeovers.
Here is a summary of the situation:
WHY DID THE THREE COUNTRIES LEAVE THE BLOC?
The junta leaders stated in a joint statement that ECOWAS had departed from the ideals of its “founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism,” and also accused the bloc of failing to assist in their fight against Islamist insurgents and insecurity.
ECOWAS had imposed a variety of economic, political, and financial sanctions on the three countries in an attempt to compel them to return to constitutional order, but this only served to strengthen their resolve.
The junta leaders have denounced the sanctions as illegal and inhumane.
CAN A MEMBER STATE LEAVE ECOWAS?
According to Article 91 of the ECOWAS Treaty, a member state can only withdraw its membership after giving a written one-year notice and abiding by its provisions during that period. It is currently unclear if the three countries intend to follow this process.
WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are landlocked countries that rely on ports in their ECOWAS neighbors for imports and exports. Leaving the bloc could result in increased tariffs and could impact the free movement of citizens and financial flows within the rest of the bloc.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT
ECOWAS, based in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, may convene an emergency summit to discuss the withdrawal, but may not have the leverage to prevent them from leaving.
The decision to depart is viewed as a significant test for current ECOWAS chair Nigeria, where President Bola Tinubu has sought to re-assert the country’s position as the dominant regional power.
ECOWAS, which has been attempting to negotiate with the Niger junta leaders, has previously stated its readiness to deploy troops to restore constitutional order if diplomatic efforts fail.
As of now, the bloc has not followed through on this threat.
(Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe, Editing by Bate Felix and David Holmes)
