ECOWAS begins relocation of its offices from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso

Following the recent withdrawal of the three Sahelian nations from the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) has initiated the relocation of its institutions and agencies from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

Ministers gathered at an extraordinary session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday, to discuss logistical strategies for relocation and suspension of regional programmes in the three countries currently under military juntas.

The session was convened in response to a directive from the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, issued during its 66th Ordinary Session.

Chair of the Council and Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, opened the session, urging calm, pragmatism, and unity.

He described the situation as a “difficult chapter in ECOWAS’s history,” emphasizing the need for resilience and adaptation.

Tuggar said: “This session is not one we had hoped for. But in recognising the sovereignty of these nations under their current military governments, we must now adapt and chart a forward-looking path.”

A statement by Tuggar’s media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed that the council was tasked with developing a disengagement framework, including relocating ECOWAS institutions and creating mitigation plans for affected programs.

Ministers discussed ways to ensure uninterrupted operations of institutions involved in critical areas, including security, economic development, and regional mobility.

Memoranda are expected, detailing plans for transitioning ECOWAS offices and operations to alternative host countries.

The statement reads: “The council will examine the potential relocation of ECOWAS institutions and agencies currently based in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, with an eye toward mitigating any disruptions caused by their exit.”

Tuggar reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to regional integration, praising the bloc’s legacy as Africa’s most integrated sub-regional body.

He said: “While these developments are unprecedented, they also present an opportunity to renew and strengthen our resolve. Our unity has been tested before, and we emerged stronger. We will do so again.”

The council’s deliberations will continue in the coming days, with member states expected to approve a comprehensive action plan for relocation and realignment.

Persecondnews reported that the three countries that now belong to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) officially exited ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, following a prior announcement and completion of the treaty-mandated notice period.