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The military regimes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have dealt a significant blow to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by announcing their immediate withdrawal from the regional bloc.
In a joint statement broadcasted on Niger national television, the military regimes of these countries declared their decision to pull out from ECOWAS, citing a departure from the organization’s founding principles and the failure to adequately support member states in combating terrorism and insecurity.
Colonel Amadou Abdramane, spokesman for the Niger junta, conveyed the sentiment behind the withdrawal, stating, “After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism.”
The statement highlighted ECOWAS’s alleged failure to assist member states in their existential fight against terrorism and insecurity, further exacerbating the dissatisfaction among the withdrawing nations.
This move comes after the three countries signed a mutual defense pact in September 2023, known as the Alliance of Sahel States, to collectively assist one another against armed rebellion or external aggression.
Mali’s military leader, Assimi Goita, confirmed the establishment of the Liptako-Gourma charter, establishing the Alliance of Sahel States, aimed at fostering collective defense and mutual assistance among the signatory nations.
The decision to withdraw from ECOWAS follows a series of events, including a military coup in Niger last July, which led ECOWAS to impose sanctions on the country and threaten military action.
In a joint communique released by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the heads of state expressed their disappointment with ECOWAS’s deviation from its founding principles and its failure to adequately address the security concerns of member states.
In response to this ongoing situation, the heads of state of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have taken the bold step of withdrawing their countries from ECOWAS, asserting their sovereignty and addressing the expectations, concerns, and aspirations of their populations. Gmtnewsng.com
