Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have collectively declared their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Expressing discontent, the three nations asserted that ECOWAS has strayed from its original purpose, no longer serving their interests.

In a joint press statement issued on Sunday, January 28, the countries formally announced the termination of their membership in the regional organization.

“After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism,” excerpts of the statement said.

Following their suspension by the regional organization for coups and noncompliance with its directives to reinstate civilian rule, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have decided to leave ECOWAS.

The nations have chosen to reject membership in ECOWAS during their suspension, demonstrating their disobedience of the regional body's policies.

“Indeed, the organisation has not provided assistance to our States in the context of our existential fight against terrorism and insecurity; worse, when these States decided to take their destiny into their own hands, it adopted an irrational and unacceptable posture by imposing illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions in violation of its own texts; all things which have further weakened populations already bruised by years of violence imposed by instrumentalized and remote-controlled terrorist hordes.”

During a summit held in Abuja, Nigeria, in December 2023, West African leaders called for a "short" transitional period towards civilian rule in Niger to consider easing economic sanctions imposed on the country.

Sanctions were imposed following the ousting of Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum in a coup in July 2023. The junta declared a three-year timeline for the restoration of civilian rule.

Mali faced disruptions to civilian rule due to two coups, the first occurring in August 2020, while Burkina Faso witnessed the overthrow of its elected government in 2022.

The recent choice of the three West African nations to exit ECOWAS signifies their dissatisfaction with the regional body's actions and its departure from its original founding purpose.