- ECOWAS expresses concern over Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger exiting, citing regional security complications and forming the Alliance of Sahelian States
- ECOWAS Commissioner stresses unity against terrorism, plans summit to address concerns and discuss funding for regional kinetic force
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) expressed its concern on Tuesday regarding the decision of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic to exit the regional bloc, citing complications in regional security.
Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, made this statement during a program titled “Reducing vulnerabilities through partnerships – a stakeholders’ engagement on regional defense and security perspectives,” held in Abuja on Wednesday, organized by the European Union in conjunction with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
Under military leadership, the three West African nations announced their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS in January, alleging that the body posed a threat to its members.
Musah emphasized that the departure of these three member states to form the Alliance of the Sahelian States has added complexity to the fight against terrorism in the region.
He stated, “ECOWAS’s position is that we want these countries back into the community and are doing everything to get them back. We also need them because of the theme of this meeting—partnership against the common enemy, which is terrorism.”
Highlighting the existing threat of terrorism in the region, Musah underscored the importance of unity in combating it, warning of dire consequences if action is not taken promptly.
Burkina Faso, in particular, is facing significant challenges, with almost half of its geographic area under the control of terrorists. Musah stressed that allowing terrorists to establish a solid base in West Africa would pose a threat not only to the continent but also to the entire world.
ECOWAS is planning a summit to address the concerns surrounding the withdrawal of the three countries and explore ways to reintegrate them into the regional framework.
“In June, the finance and defense ministers of our region will convene in Abuja to discuss the funding modalities for the kinetic force that ECOWAS is establishing. The roadmap for this initiative is well underway,” Musah added.