“ECOWAS is at a crossroads”, believes the president of his Commission in the midst of a regional crisis

The extraordinary session of the Mediation and Security Council of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) opened on February 8, 2024 in Abuja. On the agenda, the withdrawal from ECOWAS formulated by Burkina, Mali and Niger, three countries which are not represented during this meeting. The other member states, however, are discussing the consequences of this withdrawal from the sub-regional organization, as well as the current political situation in Senegal since the postponement of the presidential election. Details.

The flag of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Accra, Ghana, March 25, 2022. REUTERS - FRANCIS KOKOROKO

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With our correspondent in Abuja,

Moïse Gomis

“ 

ECOWAS is

at

a crossroads.

 » These are the words chosen by the President of the Commission, Omar Alieu Touray

,

in his introduction to open this extraordinary session, this February 8, 2024 in Nigeria. And, according to him, the unity of the West African organization is currently at stake and, perhaps, its survival.

Read also Extraordinary meeting of ECOWAS ministers to discuss the crises in the sub-region

Omar Alieu Touray confirmed the receipt by the ECOWAS Commission of official notifications of immediate withdrawals sent by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. But above all, he considered that the grievances and criticisms formulated in these notifications by these three States were unfair, “ 

even unfounded on certain points

 ”.

Read alsoCédéao: the departure of Mali, Niger and Burkina comes after months of tension

Three memoranda will be presented during this extraordinary session: two on the consequences of the withdrawals of the three Sahelian countries (one on the impact in these three countries and the other on the impact for the other countries of the community) and the third and The latest memorandum will address the ongoing political and institutional crisis in Senegal.

A stoic head of Senegalese diplomacy

This extraordinary session is taking place without the presence of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. On the other hand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Senegal, Ismaïla Madior Fall, is present, like the majority of his peers from other member countries.

The head of Senegalese diplomacy also remained stoic while listening to the serious concerns expressed by the president of the ECOWAS Commission, but also by the representative of the African Union Commission and also by that of the United Nations. Ismaïla Madior Fall who will certainly have the opportunity in Abuja to justify and explain in person the postponement of the Senegalese elections and the vote by the National Assembly of Senegal extending the mandate of President Macky Sall.

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  • ECOWAS

  • Burkina Faso

  • Mali

  • Niger

  • Senegal

  • Diplomacy

  • Nigeria