ECOWAS Sets Six-Month Transitional Period for Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger

From January 29 to July 29, 2025, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have been granted a six-month transitional period by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reconsider their decision to withdraw from the group.

Omar Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, announced this decision on Sunday, December 15, during the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Abuja. Presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga reported on the session's key outcomes.

“The Authority takes note of the notification by the Republic of Burkina Faso, Republic of Mali, and Republic of Niger of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS. The Authority acknowledges that by the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from January 29, 2025,” Touray stated.

He further explained, “The Authority decides to set the period from January 29, 2025, to July 29, 2025, as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period.”

During this period, ECOWAS extended the mandates of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé to mediate and encourage reunification efforts.

Touray also directed the ECOWAS Council of Ministers to convene an Extraordinary Session in the second quarter of 2025. This session will consider and adopt both separation modalities and a contingency plan to manage political and economic relations with the three countries.

The leaders praised the diplomatic efforts of President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, Presidents Gnassingbé and Faye, and other member states in maintaining contact with the three nations.

In his closing remarks, President Tinubu underscored the importance of solidarity and commitment to ECOWAS values. He said, “As we move forward to implement the outcomes of this Summit, let us remain united in our determination and steadfast in our commitment to the principles that bind us together as a Community. I call on all member states to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the decisions reached here translate into tangible benefits for our citizens.”

Tinubu also called for a prosperous, secure, and peaceful West Africa rooted in democracy, justice, freedom, and good governance. He commended Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, whom he described as “Mr. Democrat,” and acknowledged the efforts of Moussa Mahamat, the outgoing Chairperson of the African Union Commission.