ECOWAS meets over exit of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states will be meeting in Ghana to discuss the withdrawal of three junta-led countries which made their official exit from the body earlier in the year.

Penpushing reports that the countries include Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, as the statement explained that the bloc will hold two days meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday discuss the modalities of the countries’ withdrawal and its implications for Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) agencies in the countries.

The statement issued on Tuesday, said the bloc had maintained its free trade policy, visa-free movement, residency, and other rights within Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) states, with the three countries; fully based on the existing protocols.

Penpushing further reports that the bloc in same vein, said it would set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries, adding that member states will be discussing their relationship with the three countries in Accra.

“The session is being held to deliberate on the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc. Key items on the agenda include the modalities of the withdrawal process and the implications for ECOWAS Institutions and Agencies operating in the three countries. The session will also address other related matters of regional importance,” it said.

Penpushing also reports that Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), at the time, had issued guidelines on its relationship with the three countries and transitional measures, which it said would be reviewed and finalised as the year progressed.

The junta-led states, three weeks ago, under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), imposed a 0.5 per cent import duty on goods from Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), , while the levy applies to all goods from Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), countries entering any of the three nations, except for humanitarian aid.

Penpushing further reports that the policy countered Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), intention of ensuring free movement of goods between its members and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), countries despite their official exit from the bloc in January.

Meanwhile, the recently established pact comprising the three countries said it aims to generate revenue to fund the alliance’s activities.

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