The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States has stated that the decision by three member countries of the commission; Niger Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso, to withdraw their membership from the commission, has not been officially declared to the ECOWAS.
The Commission which revealed this through a statement on its X handle on Sunday said its attention has been drawn to a coordinated broadcast by the three countries, on the National Television of Niger and Mali, where the announcement was made, noting that it yet to receive any direct notification from the three countries, regarding their decisions.
However, the commission noted that it has been working assiduously with the three countries, following the direction of the Heads of state and government, to restore constitutional order in the countries, adding that the three countries remain important members of the ECOWAS.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger had on Sunday, revealed in a joint broadcast that they have withdrawn from the ECOWAS.
The broadcast reads: “Faced with this continuing situation, Their Excellencies, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Colonel Assimi Goïta and Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani, respectively Heads of State of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger, taking all their responsibilities in the face of history and responding to the expectations, concerns and aspirations of their populations, decide in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States,” the joint statement dated January 28 read.
Reacting, ECOWAS said:
