The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) has issued a response to media reports indicating the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic from the regional bloc, stating that it has not received any formal notification from the three Member-States regarding their intention to leave.
In a statement released by the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja on Sunday evening, the body clarified that it had not been directly notified of any decision by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS.
The announcement of withdrawal came from the juntas in Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso, following their suspension from the regional bloc due to recent coup d’états in their respective countries.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) has been drawn to a statement broadcast on the National Televisions of Mali and Niger announcing the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS.
“The ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three Member States about their intention to withdraw from the Community.
“The ECOWAS Commission, as directed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, has been working assiduously with these countries for the restoration of constitutional order. Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.
“The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves,” ECOWAS Commission stated.
