Despite efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reconcile with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic, Mali’s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, has maintained that their exit from the regional bloc is final.
Diop reiterated that the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWAS is “irrevocable” and “without delay.” He stated that Mali is willing to cooperate with ECOWAS but opposes the introduction of visas for nationals of the three countries traveling within the bloc.
“Our Heads of State were very clear in Niamey when they said the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWAS is irrevocable and was done without delay, and from now on we must stop looking in the rear-view mirror,” Diop said. He emphasized that Mali remains “open to working with our neighbours and other organisations with which we share this space” but believes the path they have chosen is “not reversible.”
This development comes after the military juntas in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso formed a confederation of their own, leading to ECOWAS appointing mediators to facilitate dialogue with the three Sahel states.
