The President of the Economic Committee of West African States (ECOWAS), H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray has paved the way for the comeback of the embattled Junta-Led countries who earlier withdrew from the regional bloc and united as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
This pronouncement was made during the first press conference of the ECOWAS Commission on Wednesday 29th January 2025 at its headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.
During the presser, President Touray highlighted that the regional bloc remains certain that the three communities, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso will eventually return to ECOWAS.
Despite surpassing the peak extent of their withdrawal, the regional bloc has not threatened sanctions or penalties to the said countries. ECOWAS remains open to welcoming these countries while allowing them free movement within the region. This further underscores the spirit of regional solidarity and in the interest of the people, as well as the decision of the ECOWAS Authority to keep ECOWAS’ doors open.
The commission has further set up a structure to facilitate discussions on some of the modalities with each of the three countries. However, the bloc will withdraw the employment of over a hundred (100) people whose member states withdrew their status from the ECOWAS community.
It could be recalled that in early January 2024, the United Alliance of Sahel States notified the regional bloc of their desire to leave ECOWAS, according to what they described as “inhumane and illegitimate” sanctions following military takeovers.
