WACSOF REGRETS THE WITHDRAWAL OF MALI, BURKINA FASO, AND NIGER FROM ECOWAS AND URGES ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO PRIORITIZE THE INTERESTS OF THE CITIZENS

FEBRUARY 05TH 2025: The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) is closely following the evolution of the crisis between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the 3 brother countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. While respecting this sovereign choice, WACSOF nevertheless regrets this decision, which came into force on 29 January 2025. This decision constitutes a worrying setback for the regional integration and cooperation process and results in an immediate loss of approximately 2,781,392 km2 (representing 54.4% of the ECOWAS area) and approximately 83.4 million inhabitants (representing 20.7% of the 401.9 million total population of ECOWAS (as of 2020)). WACSOF is concerned about the potential consequences of this avoidable withdrawal on children, women and citizens. Despite the crucial role played by ECOWAS in promoting economic development, peace and stability in Africa, the avoidable withdrawal of these three brother countries is symptomatic of a decline in regional integration policy, linked to unfulfilled promises and the recurrent deterioration of regional governance for many years. It is in light of this context that WACSOF declares the following: 1. WACSOF welcomes: a. The courageous decision taken by ECOWAS and the AES countries to preserve the key elements of regional integration, including free movement, by keeping the doors of institutional collaborations open. b. The recent pragmatic decision by the President of Ghana, His Excellency John Mahama, to appoint a personal envoy (Mr. Larry Gbevlo-Lartey) to lead the open dialogue process with the AES 2. WACSOF reaffirms its concerns regarding the unresolved problems facing the region: a. The inequitable exploitation of natural resources that are not processed locally, as well as violent extremism, climate change, and their consequences on women and children b. The poor level of trade between ECOWAS countries, representing, in 2022, less than 12% of the total trade of the region, illustrating the extroversion of trade within the Community. c. The poor industrialisation level and the non-delivered promise of the ECOWAS single currency d. The repetition of constitutional, electoral and military coups, a situation symptomatic of a deep malaise, resulting from a crisis of bad governance, endemic corruption, restriction of civic and political spaces, an instrumentalization of the justice in States to block political adversaries, or to imprison journalists and citizens with opinions different from those in power, with political prisoners and exiles 3. In view of the above, WACSOF a. Urges all stakeholders to prioritize the welfare, the well-being and interests of the citizens b. Calls on ECOWAS and the AES to engage in an open, sincere and constructive dialogue in order to address the concerns and issues that have led to this unfortunate situation. c. Calls the head of states to personally, positively engage in peaceful neighbourhood d. Calls for an inclusive and participatory process involving Civil Society and other key actors in political, economic and social life e. Calls for a profoundly innovative approach within ECOWAS for a better connection with citizens, to advance priority projects, such as: the ECOWAS single currency, and the renewal of the ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance and the ECOWAS of the people 4. WACSOF remains seized of the situation and invites all civil society organizations to actively contribute to dialogue, peace and social cohesion. 5. WACSOF remains active in all the ECOWAS and AES countries, and affirms its full availability to contribute, alongside all stakeholders to innovative solutions and remains committed to promoting regional integration. Contacts: Media@Wacsof-Foscao.Org ABOUT THE WEST AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM (WACSOF) With more than 1000 Member Organizations, the WEST AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM (WACSOF) is the umbrella network of the Civil Society in West Africa, covering 18 thematic areas, with representation in 15 countries of West Africa (ECOWAS & AES). WACSOF is the channel for institutionalized dialogue between civil society organizations and ECOWAS. WACSOF builds capacity, advocates, mobilizes civil society, engages in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies for a prosperous, stable and peaceful Africa. WACSOF is an excellent channel, a one-stop-shop for systematic engagement between institutions and civil society organizations, for impactful results. www.Wacsof-Foscao.Org