The memberships of three countries – Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – have been formally withdrawn from the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), one year after the three junta-led nations jointly declared their intention to exit the regional bloc.
The Ecowas Commission said the withdrawal took effect on Wednesday.
The bloc, founded in 1975 to promote economic integration in all economic activities, particularly industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, social and cultural affairs, and monetary and financial matters.
The commission, however, said it had decided “to keep Ecowas’s doors open” in the spirit of “regional solidarity and in the interest of the people.”
It directed, until further notice, all relevant authorities within and outside its member states to, among others, recognise national passports and identity…
