ECOWAS: Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso Exit Bad For Counterterrorism War – CSOs

The Conference of Civil Societies and Centre for Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMICO) has said the withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) will disrupt intelligence sharing, regional counterterrorism efforts and coordinated security initiatives such as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

The CSOs said the three countries are frontline states in the fight against terrorism, adding that a fragmented security architecture could expose the wider West African region to heightened threats of violent extremism, migrant trade, and political disorder.

At a press conference in Abuja at the weekend, the coordinator of CIMICO, Dr Adams Otakwu also said the withdrawal may contribute to governance challenges, create unaccountable regimes and setbacks to democratic stability.

He therefore urged ECOWAS and the leadership of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to pursue continued dialogue in the spirit of regional integration, peace, security, good governance and inclusive development.

After an initially six-month grace period, the three military-led West African nations announced their withdrawal from the regional bloc in January 2025, a year after they announced their intentions to leave.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, in a joint statement announcing their exit, accused ECOWAS of becoming a threat to its members, and that the body, under the influence of foreign powers, betrayed its founding principles.

But Otakwu cautioned that the decision has profound security, economic and humanitarian implications for the people of the region.

“A fragmented security architecture risks exposing these states – and the wider West African region – to heightened threats of violent extremism, migrant trade and political disorder,” he said.

He noted that the economic repercussions of this withdrawal cannot be overlooked, adding that as members of ECOWAS, the countries benefited from a harmonised trade system, including the Common External Tariff and preferential access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He said the exit introduces economic uncertainty, with potential increases in tariffs, inflation and disruptions to cross-border trade and financial services.

“Additionally, their standing in the global financial system could be negatively impacted, given their status on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. Without ECOWAS membership, they risk exclusion from critical financial regulatory frameworks, affecting investment inflows, economic stability and long-term development prospects.”

Otakwu added that the humanitarian impact of this withdrawal is worrisome because ECOWAS has been a critical driver of social interventions, infrastructure development, and livelihood support across its member states.

“The withdrawal of these three nations threatens ongoing regional assistance programmes and could exacerbate poverty and human suffering. Additionally, there is a risk of hostility towards Malian and Burkinabé migrants in neighbouring countries such as Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, further escalating social tensions. At a time when regional solidarity is needed the most, disengagement from ECOWAS places the lives and well-being of millions at risk.

“We recall past reconciliation efforts, including the Peace and Reconciliation Forum in Lomé and interventions by religious leaders, as vital precedents that should be built upon,” he said, urging regional leaders to ensure that their decisions reflect the collective aspirations of the people, calling on the Sahelian states to re-establish accountable governance structures and work towards restoring trust and cooperation within the region.

On his part, the executive director of Community Watch Initiative (CWI), Mr David Acheme, said their departure disrupts established mechanisms for security coordination, joint military initiatives and intelligence exchange.

He said, “Without a unified approach, the region faces heightened exposure to insurgent activities, illicit cross-border movements, and governance breakdowns. This shift also threatens institutional accountability, potentially fostering unchecked rule and further complicating efforts to uphold democratic principles across West Africa.”

The director of Lead Watch, Mr Joseph Ode, said the exit marks a significant shift in the regional economic landscape which threatens trade agreements and financial frameworks that have underpinned their economic stability.

“As they exit the ECOWAS bloc, they risk being exposed to serious uncertainties and inflation, potentially subjecting them to higher tariffs and reduced trade opportunities,” he said.

Also, the head of Mission of Impart Africa (IA), Blessing Onjefu, urged ECOWAS to maintain diplomatic channels, and called on the three Sahelian states “to reconsider their stance, as regional integration serves the best interest of the people and citizens of west Africa.”