The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council of Ministers held a special session in Accra, Ghana, to address the recent withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the bloc. Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who currently chairs the Council, confirmed the meeting through a statement released by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
This gathering follows a directive from the Authority of Heads of State and Government, issued during their 66th Ordinary Session. The Council was tasked with outlining a withdrawal plan and creating a response strategy for the exit of the three Sahelian nations. The ECOWAS Commission was also expected to submit memoranda on how to manage the withdrawal process, suspend related programmes in the affected countries, and address disruptions to the movement of people, goods, and services across the region.
One of the key points discussed was the possible relocation of ECOWAS institutions currently hosted by the withdrawing countries. The aim is to ensure operations continue smoothly despite the changes. Ambassador Tuggar acknowledged the sensitivity of the moment, stating that ECOWAS had never anticipated needing to consider the departure of any member states. Still, he noted that the bloc respects the sovereignty of these nations under their current military leadership and must now find a way to move forward.
He encouraged his fellow ministers to approach the issue with a mindset of institutional reform and to renew their dedication to regional unity. Tuggar highlighted that ECOWAS remains Africa’s most integrated bloc, guided by shared political, economic, and security goals. He urged members to protect and strengthen the bloc’s legacy for future generations.
Calling for focused and productive discussions, he underlined that ECOWAS still holds a central role in managing West Africa’s shared challenges. He reminded participants that being part of ECOWAS carries responsibilities as well as benefits.
Tuggar also thanked the Ghanaian government and its people for hosting the meeting, which coincided with the kickoff of ECOWAS@50 celebrations. He said the event was a fitting time to reflect on the organisation’s progress and reaffirm its mission.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formally left ECOWAS on January 29, 2025. The three countries, all led by military governments, had earlier formed their own alliance in September 2023 known as the Alliance of Sahel States. With their departure, ECOWAS now counts 12 member countries.
