The ECOWAS Parliament has called on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to reconsider their decision to withdraw from the subregional bloc, urging the three Sahel nations to return in the interest of regional unity, peace, and economic integration.
The appeal was made during the closing ceremony of a five-day delocalised meeting of the Parliament’s Joint Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security, Human Rights, Trade, Social Affairs, Gender, and Persons with Disabilities, held in Banjul, The Gambia.
Chairman of the Joint Committee Delocalised Meeting, Senator Edwin Snowe, made a passionate plea for reconciliation, describing the withdrawal of the three countries as a significant setback for ECOWAS, which has operated for 50 years with a focus on regional development and economic cooperation.
“We want you back. Let us come together as a team. No matter what, we agree to disagree,” said Snowe, a Liberian lawmaker.
The three countries formally exited ECOWAS earlier this year, accusing the bloc of straying from its foundational principles and serving as a proxy for Western interests. Their withdrawal has raised concerns about the future of subregional integration and the potential implications for millions of West Africans.
Snowe stressed the urgency of repairing the fractured relationships, noting the socio-economic consequences that the decision could have on citizens of the affected countries. He also emphasised the importance of teamwork in parliamentary functions, praising the critical role of support staff.
“The work we do here, there’s no good parliamentarian without all of good staff. You can be well-educated, and have all of the education. However, if you don’t have good staff, you don’t have a good team, you will not be a good parliamentarian,” he said.
Veronica Sesay, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs, Gender, Women in Parliament, and Oppressions with Disability, also lent her voice to the calls for the Sahel states to return, citing the history of ECOWAS solidarity during crises.
“We need you people, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali back. We are a bloc, we should be working together. We’ve been helping each other, like us, who faced the war in Liberia and Sierra Leone,” she said.
Sesay referenced ECOWAS’ past interventions, particularly during civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, as examples of collective strength. She urged the three nations to think of the vulnerable populations who often bear the brunt of conflict.
“When there is a problem, who faced the bulk of it? It’s women and children,” she added.
During the meeting, lawmakers also stressed the importance of continued dialogue with the departed countries and recommended a more inclusive strategy, involving both the ECOWAS Commission and Parliament. They proposed involving women parliamentarians in mediation efforts and collaborating with broader regional bodies such as the African Union and river basin organizations.
Despite the January withdrawal announcement, a six-month grace period remains in effect, providing a window for continued negotiations aimed at reintegration.
The ECOWAS Parliament reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining regional stability, free movement of people and goods, and peaceful coexistence among member states.
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