Mali’s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, has reiterated that the decision of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic to leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is irreversible.
This comes despite efforts by the regional bloc to reconcile with the three countries.
Diop stated, “Our Heads of State were very clear in Niamey when they said the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWAS is irrevocable and was done without delay, and from now on we must stop looking in the rear-view mirror.”
He added, “Mali remains open to working with our neighbours and other organisations with which we share this space… We will have to maintain discussions with others in order to move forward, but I believe that the path we have embarked upon is not reversible.”
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The three countries had earlier this year broken away from ECOWAS and formed a new confederation. ECOWAS Heads of State had appointed the presidents of Senegal and Togo as mediators to dialogue with the three Sahel states.
However, Mali has expressed its reluctance to rejoin ECOWAS, citing concerns over the possible introduction of visas for nationals of the three countries travelling within the bloc.
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