Mali, Niger Republic and Burkina Faso officially leave Ecowas after their one year suspension period

NIGERIA'S three northern neighbours who were suspended from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) after military juntas seized power have been formally expelled from the regional body after their one year suspension periods lapsed.

Mali, Niger Republic and Burkina Faso were all suspended from Ecowas last year after their militaries overthrew democratically elected regimes. Defying the regional body led by Nigeria, the three nations turned their backs on Ecowas and formed  a grouping named the Alliance of Sahel States, which accused Ecowas of incompetence in tackling jihadists’ incursion into the region.

Today, Wednesday January 29, marks the end of the one year notice period given to the three regimes to restore democratic rule in their countries. This means that they have now officially ceased to be members of Ecowas, although in the spirit of regional solidarity, the regional body has asked its member countries to still recognise the national passports of the three countries until further notice.

Ecowas said its doors remain open for more engagements with the three countries and it has urged its members to continue to treat goods and services coming from the three countries in accordance with its Trade Liberalisation Scheme and investment policy. Ecowas has also asked member states to allow citizens of the three affected countries to continue to enjoy the right of visa-free movement, residence and establishment until further notice.

An Ecowas spokesman said: “These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future engagement with the three countries by the Ecowas Authority of Heads of State and Government. The commission has set up a structure to facilitate discussions on these modalities with each of the three countries."

He added that it was necessary to issue the message to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses during this transition period. For now, there are no signs that the three regimes intend to back down as the military juntas appear to be enjoying popular support in all three nations.