Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic have officially exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The trio’s exit became effective on Wednesday upon the expiration of a one-year notice period.
However, in the spirit of regional solidarity, ECOWAS asked its member countries to still recognize the national passports of the three countries bearing the ECOWAS logo until further notice.
A statement by the ECOWAS Authority said its doors remain open for more engagements with the three countries, requesting its member states to recognize national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo held by the citizens of the exiting countries until further notice.
The West African bloc also urged its members to continue to treat goods and services coming from the three countries by the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy.
It 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 by the ECOWAS protocols until further notice, and to provide full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the three countries in the course of their assignments for the Community.
“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. This message is necessary to avoid confusion and disruption in the lives and businesses of our people during this transition period,” the statement concluded.
