Exit Of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso Will Stale $500m Projects In West Africa- ECOWAS

The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS on Saturday said the exit of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso would be detrimental to the region’s economy including stalling projects worth over $500 million.

“The withdrawal of the three-member states could result in the halt or the suspension of all ECOWAS projects and programmes worth more than $500 million,” a communique released at the end of the extraordinary summit revealed.

It also stated that “The authority recognises that the withdrawal will automatically affect the immigration status of the citizens, as they may be required to obtain visas to travel around the region,”

The Chairman of the Authority,  Bola Tinubu, had said the issues “though daunting, present an opportunity for ECOWAS to reaffirm its commitment to the vision of our founding fathers and the principles underpinning our commitment to peace, security, and regional integration.”

ECOWAS also highlighted other implications the withdrawal could have including socio-economic, political, security and humanitarian impact.

It instead advised that dialogue and negotiations should be the most viable options for addressing the ongoing tensions.

“The authority urges the three member states to adhere to the provisions of the 1993 revised treaty relating to withdrawal, particularly article 91.”

“The authority encourages ECOWAS to sustain its rapprochement and overtures towards the three member states and continues to remain seized of the situation.”

ECOWAS resolved to lift some sanctions on Niger Republic, Mali and Guinea.

Among the sanctions lifted was a  no-fly zone and border closures which will take place “with immediate effect”

The lifting of the sanctions is “on purely humanitarian grounds” to ease the suffering caused as a result, Omar Alieu Touray had said.