By: Haddy Touray
The unceremonious withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from ECOWAS have been dominating the discussions of the ECOWAS parliamentarians currently in Banjul for the sixth legislative session of the sub-regional Parliament.
The five-day delocalised meeting of the joint committees on political affairs, peace, security and African peer review mechanism (APRM)/ legal affairs and human rights, trade, customs and free movement/ social affairs, gender, women empowerment and persons with disabilities began on Monday with the theme: “Considering the Political, Socio-economic and Humanitarian Impact of the Withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the ECOWAS.”
The Fourth Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament cum the Majority Leader of the Gambia’s National Assembly, Hon. Bilay G. Tunkara, in addressing the meeting disclosed that ECOWAS has, over five decades, embodied the shared aspiration for a common destiny for the people of the subregion, highlighting that the sub-regional bloc has transformed its numerous challenges into opportunities, making West Africa a model of resilience and cooperation.
Hon. Tunkara reiterated that millions of citizens have benefited from free movement, integrated markets, and relative peace thanks to ECOWAS.
According to him, ECOWAS’s crisis management mechanisms, interconnected infrastructures, and progressive social policies are a testament to its vitality, despite the storms.
“The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali, and the Republic of Niger marks an unprecedented fracture. These countries, strategic and demographic pillars, have chosen to leave the common ship. This choice, effective since January, threatens not only our achievements but also the future of 400 million citizens,” Hon. Billay Tunkara bemoaned.
“Politically, ECOWAS loses 20% of its members due to the withdrawal of these countries. This erosion, in addition to weakening our voice on the international stage, risks encouraging other States to doubt the Community project, thus undermining our credibility as a model of African integration,” he added.
He explained that the withdrawal of the three countries also affects the sub-regional bloc in terms of security, socio-economic, and humanitarian activities, noting that the impact of the withdrawal is multifaceted and needs to be addressed and a common position taken.
“Security-wise, the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) are key players in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel. Their withdrawal complicates the sharing of intelligence and joint operations, while terrorist groups continue to threaten our populations,” highlighted the ECOWAS Parliament’s 4th speaker, adding: “Without coordination, our conflict prevention mechanisms, already weakened, could show their limits. Socio-economically, the reinstatement of strict border controls breaks a sacred principle: free movement, trade exchanges, cross-border infrastructure projects, and even humanitarian aid are at risk of being bogged down.”
Hon. Tunkara, further indicated that the consequences to fear are forced migrations, increased unemployment, an exacerbated food crisis, and populations caught between insecurity and precariousness, stating that “humanitarian-wise, the isolation of the AES could restrict access to critical areas, worsening the suffering of the most vulnerable, territorial disputes, once eased by our mediation, could resurface, fuelling new cycles of violence”.
For her part, the Co-Chair of Joint Committee of ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Veronica Kadie Seesay, stated that the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS “marks a profound geopolitical shift in our unity that has far-reaching implications for political stability, economic integration, and humanitarian coordination within our community”.
“This development necessitates a robust and objective assessment of the structural, legal, and socio-economic ramifications that their departure entails,” Hon. Seesay added, stating: “For nearly five decades, ECOWAS has stood as a pillar of regional integration, fostering peace, security, economic cooperation, and social development. The departure of the three countries would naturally disrupt the institutional framework designed to enhance collective security, trade facilitation, and human development. It would also call into question the efficacy of our existing mechanisms in conflict resolution, economic policy harmonisation, and the protection of fundamental human rights.”