The Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Damtien Tchintchibidja, has expressed her sadness and concern over the possibility of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger leaving the bloc.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, Tchintchibidja shared that ECOWAS is actively working to persuade these countries to reconsider their decision to exit.
“Frankly speaking, it’s heartbreaking to hear that three member states want to leave our community,” she said. “We are stronger together, like a family. Unity makes us stronger.”
Tchintchibidja emphasized that ECOWAS is still engaged in negotiations with these nations, striving to keep them within the community. She mentioned that the efforts to address the issue are ongoing. “It’s still a work in progress,” she noted.
“We continue to engage in discussions with these member states to ensure they remain part of our community.”
She also pointed out that, even if Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger were to leave, they would still be considered part of the ECOWAS family.
“Our borders are porous, and citizens have families across these borders. We are all one people,” Tchintchibidja added.
In January 2024, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger informed ECOWAS of their decision to leave the bloc.
This decision came after ECOWAS imposed sanctions on these countries due to military takeovers of power, which the military leaders found unbearable.
However, since February, ECOWAS has lifted the sanctions, opening the door for resolving the issue of their potential exit.
