THESE countries have recently been hit with a coup, prompting Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to suspend their membership from the bloc.
And now, the said countries announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS.
In a joint statement broadcasted by state broadcaster, ORTM, Mali’s Government Spokesperson, Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, said.
“After 49 years of existence, the courageous people of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, note with regret, bitterness, and disappointment that the organization has strayed from the shores of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism,” according to Col. Abdoulaye Maiga, Mali’s Government Spokesperson.
“Moreover, ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, has betrayed its founding principles, which has become a menace to its member states and its people, whose happiness it is supposed to ensure,” he added.
The three countries were also founding members of ECOWAS, a sub-regional organization of 15 members, which was first established in 1975.
Niamey residents react to Niger’s withdrawal from ECOWAS.
Meanwhile, Niamey residents reacted to the announcement that Niger among other African countries was withdrawing from ECOWAS.
“We are overjoyed. This is a long-expected decision for us, we salute this decision. I don’t know how to express my joy to you. And it’s not just me, I think the people of Niger were expecting this moment. Today, it’s a celebration for us. More than ever, we are determined to help the authorities and help those who can help us to leave ECOWAS and French imperialism. We are not afraid of anything, we tell it like it is,” according to Niamey, Niger, Resident.
The role of France as a former colonial power was also denounced in the press release.
The three African countries have had tense relations with the bloc since the military overturned elected governments and took power by force in 2020 in Mali, in 2022 in Burkina Faso and in 2023 in Niger.
