ECOWAS

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, the three military-led West African nations, officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on the 29th January 2025. A year prior, they had announced their departure from their long-standing regional group, citing the bloc's inability to assist their efforts to combat terrorism, as well as its subservience to former colonial powers. Furthermore, for a little more than a year, the AES has been on a campaign to eradicate any traces of Western influence in…

The decision to initially prevent Nigerians with ECOWAS passports from entering Niger stems from the nation's recent withdrawal from the West African regional group known as ECOWAS. But why such a drastic move? It all circles back to the political tremors reverberating through the region. Niger's exit—occurring alongside fellow nations Mali and Burkina Faso—followed a trio of coups that placed military governments at their helm. Some attempts at negotiations fell flat, and eventually, their departure was solidified in…

In an intriguing turn of events, the ECOWAS Parliament has decided to send a delegation to Monrovia. Their mission? To tackle the ongoing political gridlock surrounding attempts by certain lawmakers to unseat Fonati Koffa, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Now, it's worth noting that while those aiming to displace the Speaker haven't managed to muster the necessary 49 votes as mandated by law, their actions have nonetheless halted legislative activities. They've effectively disrupted the usual proceedings by…

A delegation from ECOWAS is expected this Friday, March 18, 2022 in Bamako. The West African Economic Organization's mediator for Mali, Goodluck Jonathan, will once again try to agree with the transitional authorities on an election timetable for a return to…

The Russian offensive in Ukraine, which began on February 24, has already displaced more than three million people. And its impact on food security is worrying, as Russia and Ukraine account for a third of the world's grain exports. And a significant portion…

Burkina Faso strongman Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba on Thursday appointed economist Albert Ouedraogo as the West African country's new prime minister. Aged 53, Ouedraogo, appointed by decree signed by…

The West African Economic Community Court (ECOWAS) asked Mali to provide a brief justification on August 28 for the house arrest of Moctar Ouane, former prime minister of the transition, and Bah Ndaw, former president of the transition. The two personalities have been deprived of their liberty since May 24 after a military coup that removed them from their posts.…

Mali's transitional government is aware of its commitment to a fixed deadline for organizing elections to restore democracy after last year's coup, Prime Minister Choguel Maiga said on Friday. Since the overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020, political factions in Mali and foreign partners have been looking at whether the military-led interim authorities will stick to a promise to hold elections within 18 months. Maiga presented the interim action plan to the government and outlined four key…

According to one of the lawyers from the latest presidential candidate Mahamane Ousmane, a petition against the state of Niger was submitted to ECOWAS court last week. Mahamane Ousmane, RDR Tchanji candidate in the last presidential election, claimed victory over Mohamed Bazoum. According to the final result of the…

The joint currency project for the fifteen ECOWAS countries is on track after being suspended due to the pandemic. On Saturday, 19 June, during the ECOWAS Heads of State Summit, Commission President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou presented a new roadmap. The environment will be launched in 2027. Since 2020, the process has stopped.…