The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) says it has not formally received any notification of withdrawal from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
In a Communique, signed Sunday, January 28, the Commission said: “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 Televisions 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.”
Earlier, all three countries being led by militaries, in a joint statement, said, “responding to the expectations, concerns and aspirations of their populations, decide in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States.”
The statement said: “After 49 years of existence, the valiant people of Burkina, Mali and Niger had noted with great regret, bitterness and great disappointment that their Organisation had moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and Pan-Africanism.”
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Colonel Assimi Goïta and Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani, of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, respectively said ECOWAS did not provide assistance to their States in their existential fight against terrorism and worse insecurity.
Instead, it imposed “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions in violation of its own texts.”
Meanwhile, the ECOWAS Commission said Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remained important members of the Community and that the Authority remained committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.
It said it had been working assiduously with the countries for the restoration of constitutional order.
“The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves,” the Commission said.
GNA
KK
Jan 28. 2024
