ECOWAS Parliament Urges Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to Rejoin Regional Bloc After Official Exit

The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has made a heartfelt appeal to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to reconsider their withdrawal from the regional body and return in the spirit of unity and cooperation.

The call came at the end of a five-day delocalized meeting held in Banjul, The Gambia, where lawmakers emphasized the far-reaching political, social, and economic consequences of the trio’s exit.

The three Sahel nations officially left ECOWAS in January 2025, a year after jointly announcing their withdrawal in protest over sanctions imposed following military coups in their respective countries.

Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr., Chairman of the Joint Committee, urged the countries to reunite with the bloc.
“We want you back. Let us come together as a team. No matter what, we agree to disagree,” he said, describing the split as a painful moment for a bloc that has enjoyed five decades of unity.

Supporting the plea, Hon. Veronica Seecay, Chairperson of the Committee on Social Affairs, Gender, Women in Parliament, and Persons with Disabilities, said regional integration and the well-being of citizens should take precedence over political differences.
“We need you people, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali. We are a bloc. We should be working together,” she stressed.

She cited ECOWAS’s role in resolving conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone, noting how regional solidarity had helped restore peace and stability in the past. She also highlighted the disproportionate impact of political instability on vulnerable populations:
“When there is a problem, who faces the bulk of it? It’s women and children.”

The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude to The Gambia for hosting the session. Hon. Zainab Gimba praised the hospitality of the Gambian people and lauded President Adama Barrow for his commitment to democracy and good governance.

Gimba also recognized the National Assembly of The Gambia, Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta, and the Gambian ECOWAS delegation for their support. She commended all participants and resource persons for their insightful contributions, which she said deepened the collective understanding of the impact of the withdrawals.