The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States has weakened key mechanisms for regional integration and created a major challenge to cooperation within West Africa, the Presidency has said.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, made the remarks on Thursday at a policy colloquium organised by the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
The three Sahelian countries formally left ECOWAS in January 2025, following their announcement in 2024 of plans to withdraw from the regional bloc. They have since strengthened their cooperation through the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Dare said the withdrawal had disrupted regional mechanisms, particularly ECOWAS protocols aimed at promoting economic integration and facilitating the movement of goods and services across member states.
The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States has weakened key mechanisms for regional integration and created a major challenge to cooperation within West Africa, the Presidency has said.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, made the remarks on Thursday at a policy colloquium organised by the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
The three Sahelian countries formally left ECOWAS in January 2025, following their announcement in 2024 of plans to withdraw from the regional bloc. They have since strengthened their cooperation through the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Dare said the withdrawal had disrupted regional mechanisms, particularly ECOWAS protocols aimed at promoting economic integration and facilitating the movement of goods and services across member states.
