ECOWAS To Terminate $500M Projects In Mali, Niger, And Burkina Faso Over Decision To Leave ECOWAS

The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Touray, has warned that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic would face significant repercussions if they proceed with their decision to exit the regional bloc.

Speaking at the formal opening of the first 2024 Ordinary session of the 6th ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Touray highlighted the adverse effects such a move would have on security, economic development, and regional cooperation.

Touray emphasised that the withdrawal of the three countries would undermine joint efforts to combat terrorism and other security threats in the region. He pointed out that citizens of these nations would lose the benefits of ECOWAS passports and the ability to register companies.

Furthermore, ongoing projects worth over $500 million, including nearly $321 million from the ECOWAS Bank for Reconstruction and Development, would be halted.

“Our region is facing the risk of disintegration with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger notifying ECOWAS of their intention to exit,” Touray stated.

“Their exit will worsen insecurity and free movement, and deal a deadly blow to ECOWAS, especially regarding our joint efforts towards forming a regional standing force which all member states have agreed to.”

Touray urged parliamentarians to contribute meaningfully to maintaining West African countries’ integration.

He warned that the exit of these nations would lead to their international isolation and the loss of ECOWAS support for any international positions they might aspire to.

In his remarks, Justice Edward Asante, President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, called on the bloc’s parliament to ensure that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger rescind their decision to leave.

He praised the parliament’s efforts in engaging with high-level officials from these states to encourage their return to ECOWAS, describing the initiative as noble and essential for regional solidarity and development.

“This should continue until the realisation of the objective that informed the decision in the spirit of solidarity and complementarity, which is at the foundation of the community,” Asante said.

He stressed that these efforts are crucial for the region’s progress and democratic consolidation.

The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, also addressed the session.

Abbas emphasised the need for commitment from member states to tackle challenges such as terrorism, banditry, piracy, human trafficking, human rights abuses, the impact of climate change, and bad governance.

“These challenges have placed greater responsibility on the ECOWAS Parliament to continue to carry out its legislative functions with increased vigour, passion, and commitment,” Abbas stated. “It is important to stress that any resolutions reached will amount to nothing if there is no commitment and cooperation on the part of ECOWAS member states.”

The session’s inauguration coincides with significant political developments in the region, including a resurgence of military coups.

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