Nigerian government denounces Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso for leaving ECOWAS bloc

The Nigerian government has faulted the decision of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

As the chair of the economic and political bloc in the West African sub-region, Nigeria stressed that the juntas have let down their citizens.

Nigeria’s foreign ministry, in a statement on the three countries’ departure, accused the trio of denying their people the sovereign right to make fundamental choices over their freedom of movement, freedom to trade, and freedom to choose their leaders.

Despite the decision to leave the bloc, Nigeria expressed its willingness to engage the juntas as part of efforts to end the current impasse.

“Nigeria expresses its sadness over the pronouncement by the military authority in the Republic of Niger indicating that the Republics of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have withdrawn membership of their countries from the Economic Community of West African States.

“For half a century, ECOWAS has worked to promote peace, prosperity and democracy in the region.

“Nigeria has worked sincerely and in good faith to reach out to all members of the ECOWAS family to resolve the difficulties being faced.”

The statement added that “Nigeria remains open for engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger so that all the people of the region can continue to enjoy the economic benefits and democratic values that ECOWAS embraces.

“Nigeria further appeals to the international community to continue to extend its support for ECOWAS and the vision of closer partnership, co-operation and integration.”

Relations between the three countries and with Ecowas had become intense following coups in Niger in July, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Mali in 2020. Ecowas urged all three countries to return to civilian regimes.

The three countries were already suspended by the ECOWAS in response to the coups.

Their military rulers criticised ECOWAS for not helping them in the fight against extremist insurgencies, among other internal security challenges.

In September, they created the Alliance of Sahel States, suggesting that they needed to restore security before holding elections.