As ECOWAS continues to navigate the complexities of regional integration, three of its member states – Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – have already announced their withdrawal from the regional bloc.
ECOWAS was founded on May 28, 1975, by the heads of state of 15 West African countries, initially to enhance regional economic cooperation and later expanded to include political and security objectives.
The bloc has received particular recognition for its trailblazing role in regional conflict intervention, the free movement of goods and people, and a degree of financial self-reliance based on its community levy.
Little wonder the coup d’etat and the decision by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger on Jan. 28, 2024, to form the Alliance des Etats du Sahel (AES) and exit ECOWAS have raised concerns among stakeholders.
Many have condemned the move, stating that it would have far-reaching consequences, not only for the countries themselves but also for the entire region.
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Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, at the 92nd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, said there are no signs that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, wish to return to the sub-regional bloc.
Touray said the three countries have remained incommunicado, in spite of the commission’s entreaties.
The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), a diaspora community, in collaboration with the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), convened a forum in Abuja recently to discuss the issue.
The forum discussed the democratic challenges in West Africa, including the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS.
According to Dr Aliou Barry, Co-Chair, WADEMOS Steering Committee, not too long ago, West Africa was considered a region where democracy was the most advanced in Africa and its countries were shining examples.
Barry said this is not the case anymore, so WADEMOS deemed it necessary to lend a voice to address the issue.
He said that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, represent 60 per cent of the ECOWAS region in terms of landmass and contribute at least 10 per cent to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He added that their withdrawal could undermine collective security efforts and further destabilise the region, which should worry stakeholders, including civil society organisations (CSOs).
“We are also trying to find solutions that are not politically motivated to restore democracy in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
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“We are CSOs just trying to negotiate, we have met with ECOWAS to express concern and offer recommendations on how we can mitigate the problems in the sub-region,” he said.
Similarly, the Network Coordinator of WADEMOS, Paul Kuffour, said the implications of the exit of the three countries would likely cause further instability and disintegrate the sub-region.
Kuffour said that a sharp rise in insecurity and terrorism has been witnessed since the coups in each of the three counties.
“The exit of G5 Sahel, the withdrawal of Operation Barkhane, Canada forces and US military bases in Niger, and the termination of the UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and the EU missions in the Sahel have led to an increase in attacks by violent extremist groups.
“The withdrawal from ECOWAS will affect security cooperation in terms of sharing intelligence and participation in regional counter-terrorism initiatives, such as the Accra Initiative and Multinational Joint Task Force,” he said.
Kuffour said the withdrawal would also have socio-economic implications because it could result to the suspension of major programmes such as the Regional Food Security Reserve, and the Regional Support Programme for Pastoralism in the Sahel.
He said the withdrawal may also lead to diplomatic and political isolation at the international level where the countries have obtained bloc support for their candidates and candidature in the contest for international positions.
The withdrawal could also mean the closure of four regional institutions in Burkina Faso, two regional bodies in Mali, and one regional office in Niger.
“It is evident that the three countries will be most affected due to their heavy reliance on other ECOWAS states for economic trade, regional security, and development projects.
“The implication on the legal status of citizens living in other ECOWAS states, the loss of access to major trade corridors, and increased import costs will have severe economic repercussions.
“On the other hand, ECOWAS will face challenges in maintaining its influence and legitimacy but can potentially mitigate some impacts through reorganisation and reforms,” he said.
Mr Sekou Kaba, President, I’UREM-CEDAO, Cote d’Ivoire, said the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger would create socio-economic challenges for their citizens in other countries.
Kaba explained that citizens of those countries would no longer be beneficiaries of the ECOWAS free movement of people and goods protocol.
“If ECOWAS should implement this, the people at the receiving end will suffer. For instance, in Cote d’Ivoire, when you are a foreigner and you are not from ECOWAS, you are to pay 300,000 CFA annually for a resident permit.
“You can imagine the number of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger citizens it will affect. Imagine if they are asked to pay a sum of 300,000 CFA each annually.
“We need to rise and support our region and find solutions to the pains of our people,” he said.
Having observed some of the implications of exiting ECOWAS, the group called on the three countries to reconsider their decision.
It also made some recommendations, including partnerships with the African Union, the United Nations, and the diaspora community to intervene in a mediation process.
It also called for improved communication strategy as the majority of citizens in those countries do not understand the implications of their exit from ECOWAS.
The group agreed to continue to support ECOWAS as an agent of integration of the peoples of the region, calling on the regional body to reinvent itself in promoting the ‘ECOWAS of Peoples’.
Another recommendation the group made is for the deployment of an all-female delegation to mediate with the military leaders because an all-men delegation has not worked in recent times.
“We reiterate our strong opposition to the overbearing colonial legacies and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) in the domestic affairs and the peacefully established status of territories of the region,” it said.
The group called for the defence of human rights activists, especially those of women who face a further challenge as human rights defenders.
It also threw its weight behind calls for two-term limits for ECOWAS heads of state and government, while condemning changes to a country’s constitution to extend the tenure of presidents.
WADEMOS urged ECOWAS to openly condemn member states that violate its Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
It said the bloc should develop a mechanism for communicating early warnings/compliance/response to democratic recession in the region. (NANFeatures)
News Agency of Nigeria
