Victor Ezeja
The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared that it is yet to receive any formal direct notification of membership withdrawal from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
The three West African countries currently under military rule announced on Sunday through a joint statement that they have decided to immediately exit ECOWAS, a regional economic bloc committed to integration of countries in West Africa.
Their decision to leave the regional group comes at a time ECOWAS is pushing for the three countries to return to democratic rule.
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The ECOWAS Commission, in a statement released on Sunday: “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.”
Despite the development, ECOWAS Commission said it has been working hard in collaboration with those countries to see the restoration of constitutional order.
“Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.
“The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves,” the statement added.
ECOWAS slammed sanctions on the three West African countries following refusal of junta leaders to return to democratic government.
The three countries had since switching to military rule, severed relationship with their former colonial master, France, and also ignored all ECOWAS entreaties for return to civilian rule.
