Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger announce date to quit ECOWAS

The ECOWAS Parliament has raised concerns over the planned withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the sub-regional bloc, scheduled for January 29, 2025.

The Parliament has called for an extension of the deadline to allow for further negotiations and avert potential disintegration of the sub-region.

In its recent session, the Parliament approved ECOWAS’s consolidated budget for 2025, amounting to 418,062,927 Units of Account. The budget includes provisions for the ECOWAS Parliament, Commission, Court of Justice, and various agencies, with allocations for peace and security projects.

The West African Health Organization (WAHO) saw a significant 14.21% increase in its budget to 71,596,777 Units of Account, reflecting enhanced focus on regional health initiatives. Conversely, the ECOWAS Parliament’s budget was reduced by 19.5%, totaling 18,696,897 Units of Account.

During its Bureau meeting held in Abuja from December 6 to 13, the Parliament also deliberated on ten Community Acts proposed by the ECOWAS Commission. These Acts addressed critical sectors, including energy, transport, and education.

Additionally, the Bureau engaged with the Programme for Women’s Political Participation in Africa, emphasizing strategies to enhance women’s involvement in political governance across the region.