The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it has not received formal notification of withdrawal from the bloc by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a sub-regional political and economic union of 15 West African countries.
It stated on Sunday in Abuja that its attention had been drawn to a broadcast on the national television stations of Mali and Niger announcing the decision of the three countries to withdraw from the union.
“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 for the restoration of constitutional order in those countries.
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“Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to their political impasses.
“The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves,’’ it stated.
Recall the three military-led West African nations announced their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS, accusing the body of becoming a threat to its members.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso “decide in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal” from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a joint statement published on Sunday read.
ECOWAS “under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its population”, read the statement.
The three countries accused the regional body of failing to support their fight against “terrorism and insecurity” while imposing “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions”.
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