AU To ECOWAS: Sahel States Accused You Of Threatening Their Sovereignty

The African Union (AU) on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, revealed that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic which announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), accused the sub-regional body of posing a threat to their sovereignty.

This was as ECOWAS issued a statement saying it was yet to receive any formal notification from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic concerning their intention to withdraw from the Community, stressing that it was working assiduously with the three countries for the restoration of constitutional order.

While expressing deep regret over the withdrawal of three Sahel States from ECOWAS, the AU called on the sub-regional leaders to intensify the dialogue between the Commission and the three aforementioned countries.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic on Sunday announced their pulling out of the ECOWAS, saying that it was a sovereign decision to leave the Economic Community of West African States without delay.

Speaking on the development, the AU said its commission president, Moussa Faki Mahamat, was willing to provide the needed assistance in its power for the success of the logic of fraternal dialogue, far from all external interference from wherever they come.

The three Sahel countries member states that were founding members of ECOWAS in 1975, were suspended from body with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions as the bloc tried to push for the early return of civilian governments with elections.

The three nations however hardened their positions in recent months and joined forces in an “Alliance of Sahel States”.

Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse”.

Also speaking on the development, Nigeria expressed sadness over the Sahel nations’ withdrawal from the ECOWAS, adding however that it remained open for engagement with the three countries.

It said; “For half a century, ECOWAS has worked to promote peace, prosperity, and democracy in the region. Nigeria stands with ECOWAS to emphasise due process and shared commitment to protect and strengthen the rights and welfare of all citizens of Member States.

“Nigeria has worked sincerely and in good faith to reach out to all members of the ECOWAS family to resolve the difficulties being faced. It is now clear that those seeking to quit the Community do not share that same good faith. Instead, unelected leaders engage in a public posturing to deny their people the sovereign right to make fundamental choices over their freedom of movement, freedom to trade, and freedom to choose their own leaders,” it said.