ECOWAS Approves Withdrawal of Membership for Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso on January 29

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will begin the process for Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to formally withdraw their membership on January 29, 2025.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced that it will begin the process for Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to formally withdraw their membership on January 29, 2025. This decision comes after the region's leaders declared a state of "contingent emergency" in June 2022 due to instability and insecurity in the member states. The withdrawal process is expected to mark a significant shift for ECOWAS, which has been struggling to maintain unity and stability among its member states. The move is seen as a response to the ongoing security challenges faced by the region, particularly in Mali and Burkina Faso.