ECOWAS Grants Six-Month Grace Period to Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger Before Formal Exit

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has granted Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger a six-month grace period before their official departure from the bloc, delaying the effective exit date from January 29 to July 29, 2025, Al Jazeera reports.

The decision, reached at a weekend summit in Abuja, represents a last-ditch attempt to reverse the three countries’ decision to leave, a move ECOWAS has so far been unable to prevent.

Despite the extended grace period, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger reaffirmed their commitment to leaving ECOWAS, calling their decision “irreversible.” The three Sahel nations, grappling with significant security challenges fueled by insurgencies involving al-Qaeda and ISIS, have already formed their own regional alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

While January 29 remains the official withdrawal date, ECOWAS hopes to utilize the six-month transition period to persuade the three countries to reconsider their departure. This hope was bolstered by the three nations’ Saturday announcement that they would maintain visa-free access for all ECOWAS citizens even after leaving the bloc. This move alleviates concerns about the potential negative impact on free trade and movement for the region’s 400 million people.

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who has served as a mediator between ECOWAS and the departing nations since July, attended the summit. He reported “progress” in ongoing talks and emphasized the importance of maintaining relations despite regional security concerns.

The departure of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger would mark a significant turning point for the Sahel region, where a series of coups since 2020 has led to military rule in several countries.