MONROVIA — Heads of States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have welcomed and acknowledged the decision taken by authorities of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to withdraw from the regional body.
By Obediah Johnson
Early this year, the three nations, led by military governments, announced their immediate withdrawal from regional bloc ECOWAS, accusing the body of becoming a threat to its members.
But in a Communique adopted at its 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of States held in Abuja, Nigeria on December 15, ECOWAS commended the exemplary diplomatic engagements of the Presidents of Senegal and Togo Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Republic (the ECOWAS Co-Facilitators) and the diplomatic efforts of the Chairman of Authority, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other individual Member States for their efforts applied.
“Regarding the decision of the Republic of Mali, the Republic of Niger and Burkina Faso to withdraw from ECOWAS, the Authority takes note of the notification by the Republic of Mali, the Republic of Niger and Burkina Faso of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS and acknowledges that in accordance with the provision of Article 91 of ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from 29th January 2025.”
The Authority maintains that it decides to set the period from 29th January 2025 to 29th July 2025 as a transitional period and keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries.
“The Authority, in this regard, extends the mandate of H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Republic and H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal to continue their mediation role up to the end of the transition period to bring back the three countries.”
The Authority, without prejudice to the spirit of the continued diplomatic engagements, directs the President of the Commission to launch the withdrawal formalities after the deadline of 29th January 2025 and to draw
up a contingency plan covering all areas.
The Authority directs the Council of Ministers to convene an Extraordinary Session during the second quarter of 2025 to consider and adopt both the separation modalities and the contingency plan covering political and economic relations between ECOWAS and the Republic of Mali, the Republic of Niger and Burkina Faso.
“The Authority reaffirms its unflinching adherence to the provisions of the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, in particular the zero tolerance for power obtained or maintained by unconstitutional means.”
The Authority further reiterates its demand for the unconditional release of the former Nigerian President, H.E. Mohamed Bazoum, from detention.
On the ECOWAS Single Currency, the Authority commends the High-Level Committee on Practical Arrangements for the launch of the ECO for the work accomplished and the significant consensus reached in the implementation of the directives issued at its 65th Ordinary Session.
It adopts the criteria proposed by the High-Level Committee for the selection of candidate Member States for the launch of ECO or those which would join at a later stage. It instructs the Commission, in collaboration with the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA), to ensure that these criteria are incorporated into the Protocol Final 4
establishing the ECOWAS Monetary Union Agreement.
The Authority also endorses the proposals of the High-Level Committee on the costs, sources and modalities for financing the implementation of the reforms and institutions needed to launch the ECO.
It urges Central Banks and Member States to take the necessary measures for the payment of their financial contributions for the operationalization of these institutions as soon as the decision on the effective date for the launch of the ECOWAS single currency is taken.
The Heads of States of ECOWAS further urge the High-Level Committee, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, to intensify its efforts to ensure that the deadlines set for the establishment and operationalization of the institutions needed to launch the ECO are met.
On Food Security and Nutrition
The Authority welcomes the results achieved in the implementation of the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP) within the framework of food
security and nutrition.
Considering the critical role of agriculture in the socio-economic development of ECOWAS Member States, the Authority directs the Commission to ensure a swift implementation of the Regional Strategy for the Development of Livestock Farming and the Security of Pastoral Systems; the Regional Rice Self-sufficiency Initiative and its road map 2025-2035; and domesticate the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Action Plan 2026-2035.
The Authority further welcomes the strengthening of cooperation with technical and financial partners and urges Member States to work together with Community Institutions towards the achievement of these initiatives for food security and nutrition in the region.
On Regional Corridor Development
The Authority notes the progress made in completing the technical engineering designs and other preparatory arrangements for the construction of the 1028km Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway.
It further commends the progress made in completing the financial and technical studies for the Praia-Dakar Shipping and Maritime Link and the alignment definition of the Dakar-Abidjan Highway.
The Authority also takes note of the consultations initiated with the African Development Bank, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development and other partners to raise the investment finance required to construct the highway and establish the shipping line and directs the Commission to undertake extensive resource mobilization drives with the
ECOWAS Bank for Investment and the African Development Bank to raise private and public financing for implementation.
The Authority took note of the economic growth rate of 3.8% by the end of 2024 compared to a growth of 3.6% recorded in 2023.
They also welcomed the reduction in budget and current account deficits as well as the strengthening of the gross external reserves to cover imports of goods and services.
However, the Heads of State expressed concern about the persistence of inflationary pressures as well as the increase in the level of public debt of ECOWAS Member States.
The Authority, however, urges Member States to accelerate economic, political and strategic reforms and pursue economic diversification through multiple revenue sources by growing the range of sectors and markets for stronger and more stable economic foundations, necessary to support the regional convergence required for the ECOWAS single currency.
On Air Transport
Considering the severe negative impact of the high cost of air transport on the growth of the region’s air transport industry and on the wider economic and regional integration Agenda of ECOWAS, the Authority adopts the Supplementary Act relating to the regional Common Policy on Aviation Charges, Taxes and Fees, which aims to reduce the cost of air transport services in the ECOWAS region.
The Authority also endorses the regional strategy which includes, among others, a 25% reduction of passenger and security charges and the removal of taxes applied to air transport, in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) principles and procedures on Taxes, Fees and Charges, which prohibits taxing of air transport services based on the non-relatedness, transparent and related pricing principles.
To ensure a holistic improvement of the region’s air transport industry, the Authority also approves the Regulation establishing a common framework for Aviation Security and the increased rate of compensation for passengers who are denied boarding of flights through an amendment of Article 4 of the Supplementary Act on delayed boarding, flight cancellations and denied boarding.
The Authority, however, directs Ministers in-charge of Air Transport and the Commission to coordinate and monitor the effective and uniform application of the Supplementary Acts and Regulations in all Member States, while ensuring that Airlines also comply with cost reduction obligations to ensure that ticket prices reflect the reductions to benefit all
Community citizens and populations.
On the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline
The Authority endorses the title of the single West African Gas Pipeline Project (Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project) as African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project (AAGP) as well as the Intergovernmental Agreement and its Annex.
It instructs the Commission to ensure the signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement before June 2025.
25. In addition, the Authority urges the stakeholders in this important project to speed up the process of its effective implementation and appeals to development partners and the private sector to provide assistance for the project’s financial close.
On obstacles to the Free Movement of Persons and Goods, the Authority notes with concern the continued existence of numerous illegal roadblocks along regional road corridors, which impede free movement of persons and the growth of intra-Community trade and pose significant threats to the effective implementation of the free movement
protocol, ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme, and the potential benefit of Member States’ benefit from the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.
To that effect, the Authority urges Member States, in collaboration with the Commission, to raise awareness and strengthen relevant institutional structures with a view to improving ownership and implementation of
regional texts relating to free movement of originating goods.
“The Authority therefore directs the Commission to establish a Regional Observatory for Free Movement of Persons, Trade and Transport to monitor and report impediments and challenges for informed decisions to
be taken. The Authority calls on border control and security officials on Community corridors to embrace enhanced international trade and transport facilitation measures and project the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and Goods for which ECOWAS is recognized
internationally.”
The Authority, moreover, welcomes the ratification of the AfCFTA by fourteen (14) ECOWAS Member States and calls for the acceleration of the process for the remaining ratification.
The Authority, also, urges Member States to submit outstanding Schedules of Commitments on Trade in Services to the Commission for consolidation and onward submission to the AfCFTA Secretariat as a
regional bloc and calls for the effective execution of the ECOWAS Strategy on the implementation of the AfCFTA.
ON PEACE, SECURITY AND DEMOCRACY
On Governance, Peace and Security in the region, the Authority notes with satisfaction the continued adherence of Member States to Community values and principles on Democracy, Good Governance, and Dialogue, as demonstrated by the conduct of inclusive, peaceful and credible constitutional, electoral and dialogue processes.
The Authority commends the laudable efforts being made by Member States and the Commission to consolidate democracy, peace, security, and stability in the region.
It lauds the recent holding of successful, credible and peaceful Legislative and General Elections in Senegal and Ghana, respectively.
“The Authority welcomes the remarkable progress made by stakeholders in Sierra Leone in the implementation of the Agreement for National Unity adopted in October 2023 and the collective efforts towards ensuring lasting peace and stability. It also welcomes the on-going consultations among political stakeholders in Guinea Bissau towards
agreeing on dates and frameworks for the rescheduling of the postponed elections.”
The Authority, however, notes with concern the continued challenges to security and stability in the region fueled by the activities of Terrorist Armed Groups (TAGs) and Violent Extremists, Transnational Organized Crime and Criminality resulting in the loss of life and property as well as
the security and stability of the region.
It condemns the creeping deployment of dangerous technologies and autonomous weapons
systems by TAGs and other criminal networks.
The Authority equally notes with increasing concern the rise and spread of misinformation and disinformation aimed at sowing distrust and undermining regional values and norms. It reiterates its concerns over the spectre of proxy wars in the region as a consequence of renewed geopolitical and geostrategic competition unfolding in the world and mirrored in the region.
