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ECOWAS directs member states to recognise national passports, identity cards bearing ECOWAS logo held by citizens of Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali
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Two countries express readiness to discuss with ECOWAS, says ECOWAS Commission President
From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have officially withdrawn from the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The withdrawal follows a notification served on ECOWAS in January 2024 by the trio.
The ECOWAS Commission, in a statement issued in Abuja and dated January 29, 2025, confirmed that the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali, and the Republic of Niger from ECOWAS became effective on 29th January 2025.
However, ECOWAS stated that in the spirit of regional solidarity and in the interest of the people, as well as the decision of the ECOWAS Authority to keep the doors open, all relevant authorities within and outside ECOWAS member states are requested and required to recognise national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo held by the citizens of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali, and the Republic of Niger until further notice.
ECOWAS directed member states to continue treating goods and services from the three countries in accordance with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy.
ECOWAS also stated that member states should allow citizens of the three affected countries to continue enjoying the right of visa-free movement, residence, and establishment in accordance with the ECOWAS protocols until further notice.
Additionally, member states are urged to provide full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the three countries in the course of their assignments for the Community.
“These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future engagement with the three countries by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government,” ECOWAS stated.
ECOWAS announced that the Commission has set up a structure to facilitate discussions on the modalities with each of the three countries.
“This message is necessary to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our people during this transition period,” ECOWAS clarified.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Alieu Omar Touray, disclosed that ECOWAS has begun receiving responses from the countries, indicating their intention to sit and discuss with ECOWAS.
Touray also said that ECOWAS looked forward to the discussions.
“At least two of the three countries have already written to indicate their availability for such talks,” Touray said.
Touray further stated that ECOWAS had put in place structures that would allow for discussions with the three countries.
Asked about what ECOWAS would do to forestall future withdrawals from the bloc, Touray explained that the issue of withdrawal was a sovereign decision.
He stated that ECOWAS had shown the whole world and the Community in particular the value of being a member of ECOWAS.
“This is the region, the only region on the continent where, with a simple ID card, you can move from one end to another.
“I am not saying there are no problems, but legally, you can move from one end to another.
“You can pick up your passport, hop on a plane, and go anywhere else without having to go through all these visa problems.
“This is also a region where member states can trade freely among themselves with produce that is qualified under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme.
“So, this is what we must do for the benefit of our community, and I believe nobody should have a problem with this. Certainly, to be able to do this, we will have to work on peace and security. We will have to work on governance, so these are areas that remain important to ECOWAS, and ECOWAS leaders have underlined their commitment to these principles,” Touray also said.
On the security issues affecting the region, Touray said it was in the collective interest of the West African countries to work together in all areas, including security.
“ECOWAS sees the security of each and every one of us to be closely tied, and for that reason, security collaboration will be continued at all levels, not only within West Africa but across the continent,” Touray added.