Photo caption: ECOWAS logo
Some West African nations who asked to leave the Economic Community of West African States after recent military takeovers are reportedly taking steps to reengage 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 hold in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, from February 12 to 16, 2025.
The outing would see the President participating in the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State and, in his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman, 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 sanctions imposed to reverse their respective military coups.
The withdrawal followed 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 have 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, within which it would engage in withdrawal protocol.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, said the community would keep its doors open to any state that chooses to return to the fold within those six months.
Dare indicated that at least one or two of the countries, while moving toward disengagement, may be reconsidering and seeking to realign with ECOWAS under the terms offered.
“You’ve seen the military coups that occurred. You’ve seen what has come out of it and how he (Tinubu) has managed it 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 expired. We know that the process of their leaving is almost concluded, but we also know of a truth 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 Chairman of ECOWAS will have an opportunity to brief the continental body, and of course, some of these countries will be there, too,” the presidential aide stated.
During talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the State House on December 11, Tinubu affirmed that Nigeria would pursue diplomatic solutions to the political impasse in the three countries, ensuring 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 called critical for Nigeria.
He attributed this achievement in part to the President’s foreign initiatives and policies.
Dare also alluded to the influential position Nigeria holds concerning the African Development Bank leadership, noting that as the term of the current Nigerian occupant, 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 said, “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 critical, and having a Nigerian commissioner on that body is vital.
“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. We have several countries lobbying. A Nigerian is there now. As he rounds off, another person will have to go there, and we know that President Bola Tinubu will be one of the key Presidents who will be sought out to determine who gets that position.
“In fact, it will be difficult for anyone to get that position without the support of Nigeria and the stamp 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 Nigeria will be fully represented by the President and his delegation.
“So, the AU meeting is always big. 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 for the head of state and government are critical. I’m sure that we will have a full complement with the president leading Nigeria’s team to Addis Ababa,” he stated.
