The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has appealed to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to reconsider their withdrawal and return to the regional organisation.
The three Sahel nations jointly announced their departure from ECOWAS on January 28, 2024, in protest against sanctions imposed over military takeovers in their countries.
Their exit became official in January 2025, in line with ECOWAS protocols.
At the conclusion of a five-day delocalized meeting in Banjul, Gambia, the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr., emphasized the importance of unity and regional cooperation.
“We want you back. Let us come together as a team. No matter what, we agree to disagree,” he said.
Snowe described the exit of the three countries as a painful experience, noting that the bloc has been united for five decades.
Supporting the call for reconciliation, Hon. Veronica Seecay, Chairperson of the Committee on Social Affairs, Gender, Women in Parliament, and Persons with Disabilities, urged the countries to set aside their differences and return to the fold in the interest of regional integration and the socio-economic welfare of their citizens.
“We need you people, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali. We are a bloc. We should be working together,” she said.
The Chairperson highlighted the importance of unity and cooperation among member states, citing the example of ECOWAS’s intervention in Liberia and Sierra Leone during times of conflict.
“We’ve been helping each other. Like for us, who faced the war in Liberia and Sierra Leone. We appreciated the cause that was done by ECOWAS in their intervention to help us calm down the situation in Sierra Leone,” she said.
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She also emphasized the impact of conflict on women and children, saying, “When there is a problem, who faced the bulk of it? It’s women and children.” She appealed to the withdrawn countries to consider the impact of their decision on these vulnerable groups.
The meeting discussed the political, social, economic, and humanitarian impact of the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the ECOWAS Parliament.
The Committee Member, Hon. Zainab Gimba in her closing remarks, expressed gratitude to the authorities and people of The Gambia for their warm reception and hospitality.
“We were deeply touched by the warm, fraternal, and gracious reception accorded to us by the authorities and the people of the Republic of The Gambia.
“We hold in high regard the invaluable and decisive role that the Republic of The Gambia continues to play in advancing regional integration and development within ECOWAS institutions, and the ECOWAS Parliament in particular.”
She paid tribute to President Adama Barrow for his commitment to democratic principles and good governance in The Gambia.
She also expressed appreciation to the National Assembly of The Gambia, the Speaker, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, and the Gambian Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, led by Hon. Billay G. Tunkara, for their exceptional hospitality.
She commended the distinguished resource persons and participants for their valuable contributions, which enriched the discussions and enhanced understanding of the subject matter.
“We also appreciated the administrative and support staff for their tireless efforts, which ensured the smooth conduct of the meeting.”