The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a statement indicating that it has not received any formal letter of withdrawal from Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso nor Mali.
On the 28th May, 1975, fifteen West African States came together to form the union which sought to promote economic integration in all fields of activity of the constituting countries.
However, in recent times, the Union has been hit with the political insurgencies in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Democratically elected governments were overthrown by the military. This led the ECOWAS to issue sanctions on the countries.
In a video circulating on Social Media, Mali and Niger have issued a letter to ECOWAS clearly spelling out their withdrawal from the inion with immediate effect.
Join our WhatsApp Channel for more news
A letter published by ECOWAS on its official website emphasized that it has not received direct formal notification from the three member states about their intention to withdraw from the community.
The statement established that ECOWAS is still committed to working towards the restoration of constitutional order in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, describing them as very important members of the union.
The statement read, “The ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three member states about their intention to withdraw from the Community.”
“The ECOWAS Commission, as directed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, has been working assiduously for the restoration of constitutional order in those countries.
“Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to their political impasses.
According to the ECOWAS, it will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates as necessary.
The announcement to withdraw from the ECOWAS was done in a joint statement which was telecasted on national television.
Despite the sanctions, the military junta-led governments have rather hardened their decision to remain in power.
