ECOWAS awaits formal notification on withdrawal of Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso

The Economic Community of West African States is still awaiting formal notification on the withdrawal of Mali, Niger Republic and Burkina Faso from the sub-regional bloc.

Military leaders in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso

The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) in a statement on Sunday acknowledging the national broadcast in Mali and Niger on the withdrawal of the three West African countries from the Community, declared that “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 statement maintained that while the Commission is working assiduously with these countries for the restoration of constitutional order, “Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.”

The communique read:

“The attention of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) has been drawn to a statement broadcast on the National Television of Mali and Niger announcing the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS.

“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 with these countries for the restoration of constitutional order. Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.

“The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves.”