ECOWAS grants a six-month extension to WAEMU countries

ECOWAS leaders grant an additional six months to the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to reconsider their withdrawal from the regional bloc.

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Newstimehub

16 Dec, 2024

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ECOWAS leaders grant an additional six months to the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to reconsider their withdrawal from the regional bloc.

Ultimatum Postponed: ECOWAS Gives AES Another Chance
Last January, three countries announced their intention to withdraw from ECOWAS, describing the decision as “irreversible.” They justified their choice by citing deep disagreements with the bloc’s policies, particularly on democratic governance and military interventions.

ECOWAS leaders have decided to leave the door open for these member states to return. The organization has asked Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who serves as mediator, to continue negotiations with the authorities of the three countries. Progress made so far has encouraged ECOWAS leaders to grant additional time.

“We believe in the possibility of these countries returning to our community,” said ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray. “The challenges we face are shared, and we believe we can overcome them together.”

The Sahel countries have reaffirmed their desire to follow their own trajectory, strengthening cooperation within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). However, they have not ruled out the possibility of maintaining dialogue with ECOWAS.

In summary, ECOWAS’s decision has caused a stir in the region, sparking diverse opinions about its future implications. While some observers welcome the willingness for dialogue, others are concerned about the crisis’s impact on regional integration and stability in the Sahel.

The coming months will therefore be decisive for the future of relations between ECOWAS and the Sahel countries. The negotiations will be complex and sensitive, but they offer a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution to this crisis.