ECOWAS Begins Relocation of Regional Institutions from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commenced plans to relocate its institutions and agencies from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger following the formal withdrawal of the three nations from the regional bloc. The decision, finalized during an Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Accra, underscores deepening tensions between the bloc and the military-led governments of the Sahel nations.

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, governed by military juntas since successive coups in recent years, announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024. The trio subsequently formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a rival bloc that has introduced its own regional passport, imposed trade restrictions on ECOWAS members, and expelled the organization’s representatives.

The AES has positioned itself as a breakaway coalition focused on “sovereign governance” and resistance to perceived foreign interference, particularly from former colonial powers like France.

During the Accra meeting, ECOWAS ministers outlined plans to transfer offices, personnel, and programs from the three countries to alternative host nations. Key priorities include maintaining regional security collaboration, safeguarding economic development projects, and ensuring the free movement of citizens across member states.

Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar, who chairs the ECOWAS Council, described the relocation as a “difficult but necessary step” to preserve the bloc’s operational integrity. “We must adapt to evolving realities while reaffirming our commitment to peace and integration,” he stated.

The relocation process, which requires approval from ECOWAS member states, marks one of the most significant institutional shifts in the bloc’s 49-year history. ECOWAS has yet to disclose specific timelines or host countries for the relocated institutions. However, the bloc emphasized that critical programs, including disaster response and election monitoring, will remain operational during the transition.

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