Mali to quit regional Ecowas bloc without respecting notice period

Mali has reaffirmed its exit "without delay" from the West African bloc Ecowas, saying it is not bound by the organisation's one-year timeframe for withdrawal. Burkina Faso and Niger also said they intend to follow suit.

Supporter of the Alliance Of Sahel States (ASS) wave flags of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and a placard reading 'no to ECOWAS' during a rally to celebrate Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger leaving the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Bamako on 1 February 2024 © AFP - OUSMANE MAKAVELI

Bamako's military government announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) on 28 January, along with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.

Article 91 of the bloc's treaty stipulates that member countries remain bound by their obligations for a period of one year after notification of their withdrawal.

But in a letter to Ecowas on Wednesday, Mali's Foreign Ministry said the country was "no longer bound" by the time constraints.

The letter said that Ecowas had rendered the treaty "inoperative" when it failed to meet its obligations by closing member states' borders with Mali in 2022, denying it access to the sea. 

Mali is also upset over heavy sanctions imposed by Ecowas as it tried to push for the early return of civilian government with elections.  

Late Wednesday, Burkina Faso and Niger said they too intended to leave immediately, despite the bloc's one-year rule.

• Sahel countries Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso sign mutual defence pact

Emergency talks

West African foreign ministers are to hold emergency talks on Thursday.

Ecowas's Mediation and Security Council said ministers would gather in the Nigerian capital Abuja on Thursday to "discuss current security and political issues in the region".

It was unclear whether any Senegalese minister would attend.

Ecowas has urged Senegal – one of its most stable member states – to return to its election timetable, but critics have already questioned the group's sway over increasingly defiant member states.  

• Ecowas' future in jeopardy after Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso leave group

Senegal's troubles are a "new crisis Ecowas doesn't need", Beninese political consultant Djidenou Steve Kpoton told AFP. 

"Its powerlessness in the face of the situation is self-evident."

The turmoil has also brought the almost 50-year-old bloc's broader role into doubt.

Other analysts said they had confidence in the bloc's long-term ability to deal with regional problems through mediation. 

But with its reputation at stake, Ecowas' handling of the latest political upheaval is being closely watched.