The Bureau of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a press release advocating for an extension of the withdrawal deadline for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger while expressing its support for the adoption of the Community budget.
The current deadline for withdrawing the three countries from ECOWAS is January 29, 2025.
However, the ECOWAS Parliament urges the Authority of Heads of State and Government to adopt an extraordinary measure to delay this deadline.
According to the parliament, the objective is to allow for additional reflection and negotiations that could potentially avert the disintegration of the regional bloc.
The Parliament emphasised the critical need for dialogue and diplomacy to ensure the cohesion of ECOWAS, particularly in the face of rising regional tensions.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal recently emphasised the importance of continuing cooperation with Sahel countries, noting that this cooperation is crucial for fighting terrorism, addressing migration issues, and developing trade relations.
He also pointed out that it is essential to maintain strong ties between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel.
Relations between ECOWAS and the AES deteriorated after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger withdrew from the regional bloc, citing external influence and threats to their national interests. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu had earlier called on the Senegalese leader to facilitate the return of the AES countries to ECOWAS.
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