The Economic Community of the West African states (Ekovas) approved the decision of Burkina-Faso, Mali and Niger to leave the regional association.
The leaders of the Ekovas member countries have officially approved the decision of the three countries to withdraw from the Union at the 66th summit of the heads of state and governments of the Ekovas member countries, which was held in the Presidential Palace on Mount ASO ROC in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.
The text of the statement read by the current chairman of the Omar community Aliu Toure says that Ekovas respects the decision of the three countries to withdraw from the association.
Ture clarified that in accordance with Article 91 of the revised Ekovas agreement, the membership of the three countries in the block will officially end on January 29, 2025.
The community determined the period from January 29, 2025 to July 29, 2025 as a transition period and decided to leave the Ekovas doors open to Burkina-Faso, Mali and Niger during the transition period, he said.
Tour noted that if three countries decide to enter Ekovas again during the transition period, they will be accepted again.
September 16, 2023 Burkina -Faso, Mali and Niger established the Alliance of the Sahel states (AGS) – a regional organization of collective defense. On January 28, a joint statement was distributed, in which they announced the withdrawal from Ekovas. Ekovas said that the decision of the three members was jealous of decay.