The Economic Community of West African States is taking steps to move its organizations and offices away from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso after these three countries in the Sahara region decided to pull out of the group recently.
During an extraordinary session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers convened in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday, the ministers discussed logistical plans for relocating operations and suspending current regional programs in the three nations currently under military rule.
The meeting was called following a mandate from the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at their 66th Regular Meeting.
The Chair of the Council and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, initiated the session by urging everyone to maintain composure, adopt practical approaches, and foster solidarity.
He characterized the circumstances as a “challenging phase in ECOWAS’s history” yet stressed the importance of showing resilience and adapting.
This meeting did not meet our expectations,” Tuggar said. “However, acknowledging the sovereignty of these countries under their present military administrations, we need to adjust and forge a progressive way ahead.
A statement released by Tuggar’s media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed that the council had been tasked with developing a framework for disengagement, including the relocation of ECOWAS institutions and mitigation plans for affected programmes.
The ministers talked about ways to guarantee continuous functioning of entities operating in crucial sectors like safety, economic growth, and cross-regional movement.
Memoranda are expected to be submitted with detailed plans for transitioning ECOWAS offices and operations to alternative host countries.
“The council will review the possible relocation of ECOWAS organizations and entities presently located in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, aiming to minimize any disturbances arising from their departure,” according to the statement.
Tuggar reinforced ECOWAS’s dedication to fostering regional integration and commended the group for being Africa’s most unified sub-regional organization.
While these advancements are unparalleled, they offer us a chance to rejuvenate and reinforce our determination,” Tuggar pointed out. “We have faced challenges to our unity in the past and came through even stronger. This time will be no different.
The discussions within the council will proceed over the next few days, as member countries are anticipated to endorse an extensive strategy for relocation and restructuring.
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