by Nurat Uthman
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced visa-free travel and residency rights for citizens of the 15-member ECOWAS bloc.
The decision was described as a gesture of “friendship” and an effort to “strengthen centuries-old ties between the people of Africa.”
In January, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS accusing the bloc of imposing “inhumane and irresponsible” coup sanctions while failing to address their internal security challenges. ECOWAS has demanded a return to democratic governance, which the military-led governments have resisted.
The one-year notice for their departure is expected to conclude in January 2025. According to Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, a transitional period will run from January 29, 2025, to July 29, 2025, leaving the door open for the three nations to rejoin the bloc.
