ECOWAS Grants Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger Six-Month Grace Period to Reconsider Withdrawal

The Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS has provided Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger a six-month window, from January 29 to July 29, 2025, to reconsider their decision to leave the regional bloc.

In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, disclosed the decision following the 66th Ordinary Session held in Abuja.

“The Authority decides to set the period from January 29, 2025, to July 29, 2025, as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS’ doors open to the three countries during this period,” Dr. Touray stated.

Mediation Efforts

During the grace period, the Presidents of Senegal and Togo, Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Faure Gnassingbé, will continue their roles as mediators. Their mandate has been extended to encourage the three countries to reconsider their withdrawal and re-engage with ECOWAS.

If no resolution is achieved by July 29, 2025, ECOWAS will initiate formal withdrawal proceedings as per Article 91 of its revised treaty. The Council of Ministers is expected to convene an Extraordinary Session in Q2 2025 to adopt separation modalities and contingency plans for managing political and economic relations with the three countries.

Recognition of Diplomatic Efforts

ECOWAS leaders praised the mediation efforts of Presidents Faye and Gnassingbé, along with Chairman Bola Tinubu and other member states, in addressing the stalemate.

Tinubu’s Closing Remarks

In his closing speech, President Tinubu highlighted the strength of ECOWAS’ unity in addressing pressing regional challenges:

“Let us remain united in our determination and steadfast in our commitment to the principles that bind us together as a community.”

He urged leaders to ensure that the Summit’s decisions translate into meaningful progress for citizens across the region:

“Together, let us champion the cause of a peaceful, secure, and prosperous West Africa.”

Acknowledgments

Tinubu congratulated Moussa Faki Mahamat, outgoing Chairperson of the African Union Commission, for his service, and hailed Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, whom he called “Mr. Democrat,” for his contributions to democratic governance.

Future Outlook

The Summit underscored ECOWAS’ commitment to diplomacy, regional integration, and a unified approach to governance, even amidst complex challenges posed by military transitions and member states’ withdrawals.