Three West African military-ruled nations—Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—have announced visa-free travel and residency rights for citizens within the ECOWAS region as they prepare to exit the bloc.
This decision, announced in a joint statement, aims to maintain longstanding ties among African communities despite the planned withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2025.
The countries’ leaders described the move as a gesture of goodwill to foster friendship and regional connection. However, their impending exit signals a significant split in ECOWAS, which has united West African nations since 1975. 
With this departure, the bloc will lose 76 million people and over half of its total geographical area.
At an ongoing ECOWAS summit in Nigeria, leaders expressed concern over the exit. ECOWAS commission head Omar Touray described the situation as “disheartening” but highlighted ongoing mediation efforts led by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
Despite these efforts, the three nations have remained firm, labeling their decision “irreversible.”
The new Alliance of Sahel States, formed by the trio, plans to maintain visa-free travel and movement for ECOWAS citizens within their territories. Mali’s military ruler, Assimi Goïta, reiterated the bloc’s desire to maintain positive relations, emphasizing shared regional goals despite their departure.
Relations between ECOWAS and the three states have deteriorated since military coups in Mali (2020), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023). ECOWAS had suspended their membership and demanded a return to civilian rule.
However, the coup leaders pivoted toward Russia for security assistance, accusing ECOWAS of aligning too closely with Western powers.
The departure of these founding members marks the first major split in ECOWAS history, challenging its mission of regional unity and economic cooperation.
Will this shift redefine West Africa’s political and economic landscape?
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