The African bloc wants to reconcile with the three coup countries

FOA News – ECOWAS called for “reconciliation” with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, after the military authorities of these three African countries wanted to leave the bloc.

ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray (left) and Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar at a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria on February 8. Photo: AFP

“The three countries’ choice to leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will not only bring hardship to their people but will also undermine regional integration efforts.” ECOWAS Security and Reconciliation Council President Yusuf Tuggar said on February 9, mentioning Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

ECOWAS called on Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to “prioritize dialogue and reconciliation”, adding that the bloc “has emphasized the need for diplomacy and solidarity in the face of regional challenges”.

The comments came after a meeting of foreign ministers and defense ministers of ECOWAS member countries, which began on February 8. To discuss the decision by the military government of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to leave the bloc at the end of January. Representatives of these three countries did not attend the meeting.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger want to leave ECOWAS immediately, while bloc regulations require member states to give one year’s notice. ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray described the decision by the three countries’ military authorities as “rash”.

ECOWAS was established in 1975 and includes 15 countries: Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Niger, Nigeria and Togo. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso are among the bloc’s founding members.

Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali had coups in July 2023, 2022 and 2020, respectively. The three countries all face poverty and violence related to extremist groups. ECOWAS suspended membership with three countries following the coup.

Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali recently strengthened their stance and established the “Union of Sahel States”. The military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in September signed a mutual defense agreement, pledging to support each other if one member is attacked.

Source (AFP, CNN)