- Diplomatic and political isolation on the international scene
- Reduction in the size of the ECOWAS market
- Some 130 jobs could be affected
The Extraordinary Summit of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on the political situation, peace and security in the region, was held in Abuja on February 24, 2024. In its final communiqué, the Commission of ECOWAS focused on the political, security, financial and institutional implications that the withdrawal of the 3 AES countries from the Community would generate. Reduction in the size of the community market, disruption to trade in unprocessed products such as industrial products of community origin.
Political and security implications
The conference recalls that as part of regional cooperation for the fight against terrorism, against violent extremism and organized crime, these three countries benefited from an envelope of 100 million United States dollars, mobilized by the UEMOA under the ECOWAS action plan against terrorism. Furthermore, other amounts were allocated to these countries ($7.5 million) for the acquisition of equipment intended to help them fight terrorism.
The withdrawal will impact security cooperation, intelligence sharing and participation in regional counter-terrorism initiatives, including the Accra Initiative and the activities of the Multinational Joint Force.
The withdrawal could also lead to diplomatic and political isolation on the international stage, where countries had gained support for their candidates and their candidacy during competitions for international positions within the African Union, the United Nations and other similar organizations.
Socio-economic implications
The withdrawal of the 3 member states will automatically affect the immigration status of their citizens, as they may need to obtain a visa to travel to the region. Citizens may no longer benefit from the right of residence or business creation provided for in ECOWAS agreements and could be subject to various national laws. The three countries will stop using the passport, the ECOWAS biometric national identity card and the “ECOWAS Brown Card” motor insurance region-wide.
Together, these 3 countries represent 17.4% of the region’s 425 million inhabitants. Even if they represent 10% of the region’s GDP, their departure will lead to a reduction in the size of the ECOWAS market.
The withdrawal could also disrupt intra-Community trade, in particular trade in unprocessed products such as industrial products of Community origin.
Regional projects and programs
- The regional food security reserve (the three countries host, as part of the regional reserve, stocks of nearly 17,000 tonnes, or 52% of the regional stock)
- The Regional Support Program for Pastoralism in the Sahel (PRAPS financed by the World Bank) amounting to 215 million US dollars for the three member states
- The regional support project for the Sahel irrigation initiative (PARIIS- financed by the World Bank) amounting to 103.43 million US dollars for the three member states.
- The regional food systems resilience support program (PRSA- financed by the World Bank) worth US$230 million for the 3 member states.
- The West Africa Single Identity for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI) Project
- The ECOWAS regional electricity market project (West African Electric Power Exchange System) which connects all member states to a regional electricity network, in order to improve access to electricity, also involves the three member states.
The withdrawal of the 3 member states could lead to the cessation or suspension of all ECOWAS projects/programs, which have a value greater than 500 million United States dollars.
Financial implications
The Conference notes that the two regional financial institutions, the EBID and the BOAD, have considerable commitments in the three countries. The EBID currently has 27 public sector projects underway in the three countries (Burkina Faso 9, Mali 8 and Niger 10) and a total of 20 private sector projects (Burkina Faso 5, Mali 13, Niger 2). These projects are collectively valued at approximately 321,634,253 US dollars, of which those in the public sector represent 38.1 dollars and those in the private sector, 61.9%.
Institutional implications
The withdrawal of the 3 member states will not only require the closure of 4 regional agencies in Burkina Faso, two regional bodies in Mali and a regional office in Niger, but will also affect the job security of some 130 members. ECOWAS staff who are citizens of the three countries: 77 from Burkina Faso, 23 from Mali and 32 from Niger.
Source : ECOWAS final communiqué of heads of state (February 24, 2024)
