International

ECOWAS to Move Offices from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger After Their Exit from the Bloc

Published

3 weeks ago

Apr 24, 2025.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced plans to relocate its institutions and agencies currently located in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. This follows the recent and formal withdrawal of the three countries from the regional organisation.

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The decision was made during an Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, which took place in Accra, Ghana.

During the meeting, officials discussed ways to respond to the withdrawal and how to maintain future relationships with the three countries, which have now formed a separate alliance known as the Alliance of Sahel States.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, the Chair of the Council and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, acknowledged that ECOWAS did not want any member state to leave.

I’m However, he noted that the organization must respect the sovereign decisions made by these countries, which are currently under military-led governments.

Ambassador Tuggar emphasized the importance of relocating ECOWAS institutions from the withdrawing countries to ensure that the bloc’s operations are not interrupted. “We must now adapt to this new reality and chart a forward-looking path for our organisation,” he said.

Niger Withdraw ECOWAS

ECOWAS Niger Mali Exit

He further encouraged his fellow ministers to view the crisis not as a setback, but as a chance to reform and improve ECOWAS institutions. He stressed the importance of using this moment to renew their dedication to regional peace, security, and cooperation.

Tuggar also reaffirmed that ECOWAS remains the most integrated and cooperative regional group in Africa. Over the years, it has worked hard to harmonize policies and build stronger political, economic, and security ties among West African countries.

Despite the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, ECOWAS leaders are determined to keep the spirit of unity alive and continue working toward a peaceful and prosperous West Africa for all remaining member states.

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