In a significant move to strengthen regional ties, the leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced visa-free travel for citizens of the 15-member Ecowas bloc.
West African Military States Promise Visa-Free Travel to Rival Bloc
The leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced that citizens of the 15-member regional bloc Ecowas will be eligible for visa-free travel and residency in their countries. This decision was made in the spirit of friendship and to strengthen centuries-old ties among African people.
The three West African states plan to withdraw from Ecowas in January after refusing the bloc’s demand to restore democratic rule. The leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have stated that their decision is irreversible. They gave notice to Ecowas in January 2023 that they would be leaving the bloc within a year.
The move comes as a major blow to regional unity and efforts to boost economic and security cooperation. Ecowas leaders are currently meeting in Nigeria to discuss the decision, with concerns about the impact on the region’s stability. The commission head of Ecowas, Omar Touray, described their impending exit as “disheartening” but praised ongoing mediation efforts.
The three breakaway states have formed a new bloc, the Alliance of Sahel States, which will maintain the right of Ecowas citizens to enter, circulate, reside, establish, and leave its territory. This move is seen as a signal that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger want to maintain good relations with their neighbors despite quitting Ecowas.
The departure of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from Ecowas will result in the loss of 76 million people and over half of the bloc’s total geographical land area. The three states were founding members of Ecowas in 1975 and have been at odds with the bloc since military coups took place in their countries.
Relations between the bloc and the three countries have been tense after the coups, which Ecowas condemned and suspended membership over. However, the coup leaders have pivoted towards Russia, accusing Ecowas of being too close to Western powers and relying on them to fight armed jihadists in the region.
