ECOWAS meets in Ghana over exit of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso

The Economic Community of West African States member states will meet in Ghana on Tuesday to discuss the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

The meeting will take place over two days, Tuesday and Wednesday.

These three countries officially exited ECOWAS earlier this year.

They cited the bloc’s alleged betrayal of its founding principles and influence from foreign powers.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the bloc said member states will discuss the modalities of the countries’ withdrawal.

It will also discuss the implications of their withdrawal for ECOWAS agencies in the countries.

The bloc also said it would “set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries.”

However, ECOWAS member states will be discussing their relationship with the three countries today in Accra.

“The session is being held to deliberate on the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc.

“Key items on the agenda include the modalities of the withdrawal process and the implications for ECOWAS Institutions and Agencies operating in the three countries.

“The session will also address other related matters of regional importance,” it said.

Three weeks ago, the junta-led states, under the Alliance of Sahel States, imposed a 0.5 per cent import duty on goods from ECOWAS.

The levy applies to all goods from ECOWAS countries entering any of the three nations, except for humanitarian aid.

The policy countered ECOWAS’s intention of ensuring free movement of goods between its members and the AES countries despite their official exit from the bloc in January.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

Withdrawal process:

ECOWAS will discuss the logistics of the exit and its impact on regional cooperation.

Relationship with the three Countries:

The bloc aims to establish a structure to facilitate discussions on trade, visa-free movement, residency, and rights with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Economic implications:

Ghana, as a member state, is concerned about potential economic losses, particularly regarding the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme.

This scheme allows for duty-free imports and exports.

Security concerns:

The exit may affect intelligence sharing and border security, potentially triggering a terrorism spillover effect.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

The three countries, now part of Sahel States (AES), have imposed a 0.5% import duty on goods from ECOWAS.

This counters the bloc’s intention for free movvement of goods.

ECOWAS has maintained its free trade policy and visa-free movement with the three countries based on existing protocols.

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