Some estranged ECOWAS members seeking to rejoin — Presidency

Some West African nations that announced their departure from the Economic Community of West African States following recent military takeovers are reportedly taking steps to re-engage with the regional bloc within the six-month window set last December.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, revealed this on Wednesday, just as President Bola Tinubu departed Abuja for the 46th Ordinary Session of the African Union’s Executive Council, scheduled to be held in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, from February 12 to 16, 2025.

The event will see the President participating in the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State. In his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman, he will provide a detailed report on the bloc’s handling of the situation.

In January 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS.

The three nations accused the regional bloc of abandoning its founding ideals and yielding to external influences, criticising the sanctions imposed to reverse their respective military coups.

The withdrawal follows a series of military takeovers in Mali (2020 and 2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023), which led to their suspension from ECOWAS and strained relations with the bloc.

In response, the withdrawing states formed the Alliance of Sahel States, a new regional bloc prioritising defence and mutual support. They have also distanced themselves from traditional Western allies, particularly France, and sought closer ties with Russia.

At the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on December 15, 2024, the bloc approved the withdrawal of the three estranged states by January 29, 2025.

However, it declared a six-month transition period, lasting until July 29, 2025, during which it would engage in withdrawal protocols.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, said the community would keep its doors open to any state that chooses to return within that period.

Dare indicated that at least one or two of the withdrawing countries may reconsider and seek to realign with ECOWAS under the terms offered.

“You’ve seen the military coups that occurred. You’ve seen what has come out of them and how he has managed the situation, even to the point of giving the three countries six months to rethink and reconnect with ECOWAS.

“Of course, we know that January 29 has passed. We know that the process of their departure is almost concluded, but we also know the reality — that one or two of these countries are trying to reach back and take advantage of the six-month window.

“I think that at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, the ECOWAS Chairman will have an opportunity to brief the continental body, and, of course, some of these countries will be there too,” he stated.

During talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the State House on 11 December, Tinubu affirmed that Nigeria would pursue diplomatic solutions to the political impasse in the three countries, ensuring that innocent citizens are not unduly punished for the actions of military regimes.

As of February 2024, the remaining ECOWAS member states are Benin Republic, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Additionally, Dare highlighted a key development in which a Nigerian national will assume a Commissioner role on the AU’s Peace and Security Commission—a move he described as critical for Nigeria.

He attributed this achievement, in part, to the President’s foreign initiatives and policies.

Dare also alluded to Nigeria’s influential position concerning the African Development Bank leadership. As the term of the current Nigerian President of the AfDB, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, concludes, other countries will actively seek Nigeria’s backing for potential successors, recognising that support from Nigeria and its President is essential.

He explained, “So there will be a lot of high-level meetings, a lot of bilateral meetings. It’s a very key meeting. Beyond that, a Nigerian will become a commissioner on the Peace and Security Committee through consensus, and that is critical for us. The AU Peace and Security Commission is vital, and having a Nigerian commissioner on that body is important.

“It is also part of the gains of President Tinubu’s foreign initiatives and policies. Aside from that, we know that the position of the AfDB President is up. Several countries are lobbying. A Nigerian currently holds the position. As his term concludes, another candidate will need to step in, and we know that President Bola Tinubu will be one of the key figures consulted in determining who gets that position.

“In fact, it will be difficult for anyone to secure that role without the support of Nigeria and the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu.”

Dare described the AU Summit—officially the 46th General Session, alongside the 38th meeting of AU Heads of State and Government—as Africa’s equivalent to the United Nations General Assembly, where the President and his delegation will fully represent Nigeria.

“So, the AU meeting is always significant. It is our United Nations, just like when you go to New York every September. This one is in Addis Ababa; the 46th General Session and the 38th meeting of Heads of State and Government are crucial. I’m sure that we will have a full delegation, with the President leading Nigeria’s team to Addis Ababa,” he concluded.