The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council of Ministers has convened an extraordinary session in Accra, Ghana, to discuss contingency plans following the formal notification of withdrawal by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who chairs the Council, expressed the appreciation of member states to Ghana for hosting the crucial meeting. He also congratulated Ghana and the ECOWAS Commission on the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the bloc, describing the commemorations as a timely reflection of ECOWAS’s achievements.
“This gathering demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the advancement of our regional community and the fulfilment of ECOWAS’s core purpose,” Amb Tuggar stated in his opening address.
The extraordinary session follows a directive from the Authority of Heads of State and Government, instructing the Council to develop modalities and a contingency plan for the departure of the three Sahelian nations. The ECOWAS Commission is expected to present detailed proposals addressing the withdrawal process, the suspension of ECOWAS programmes in the affected countries, and the potential challenges related to the movement of people, goods, and services across the region.
A key item on the agenda is the potential relocation of ECOWAS institutions and agencies that are currently based in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The Council will examine options to minimise any disruptions caused by the withdrawal of these member states.
In a sombre tone, Amb Tuggar acknowledged the significance of the moment. “It was never our wish to deliberate on the withdrawal of member states. But in recognizing the sovereignty of these nations under their current military governments, we must now adapt and chart a forward-looking path,” he said.
Despite the challenges, the Nigerian Foreign Minister urged his counterparts to see the situation as an opportunity for institutional renewal and a renewed commitment to regional integration. He emphasised that ECOWAS remains the most integrated regional bloc in Africa, built on harmonised policies and a shared vision for political, economic, and security cooperation.
“As we look ahead, our responsibility is to maintain the ECOWAS legacy and pass it on stronger to the next generation. Our unity has been tested before—and we emerged stronger. We will do so again,” he declared.
Amb Tuggar concluded by calling for constructive discussions to ensure the effective implementation of the withdrawal process, while reaffirming ECOWAS’s role as the primary platform for addressing the collective challenges facing West Africa. “Membership, as the saying goes, has its privileges,” he added in a pointed remark.
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