April 23, (THEWILL) – The Council of Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has convened an Extraordinary Session in Accra, Ghana, to deliberate on the potential relocation of the bloc’s institutions and agencies currently situated in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
The meeting comes amid preparations to manage the fallout of the three countries’ withdrawal from ECOWAS.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communication Strategy to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
According to the statement, the Council will also discuss contingency plans following formal notifications of withdrawal submitted by the military governments of the three Sahelian nations.
In his opening remarks, Chair of the Council and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Ghana for hosting the crucial meeting and for their hospitality. He also congratulated Ghana and the ECOWAS Commission on the successful launch of the “ECOWAS at 50” celebrations, calling it a timely reminder of the bloc’s accomplishments and future goals.
“This gathering demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the advancement of our regional community and the fulfillment of ECOWAS’s core mandate,” Tuggar said.
The Extraordinary Session was convened in line with a directive from the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during its 66th Ordinary Session, mandating the Council to outline modalities and a contingency plan for managing the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
The ECOWAS Commission is expected to present memoranda on several critical issues, including the withdrawal process, suspension of programmes in the exiting countries, and challenges relating to the free movement of people, goods, and services.
Describing the current situation as a difficult chapter in ECOWAS history, Tuggar said, “It was never our wish to deliberate on the withdrawal of member states. But in recognizing the sovereignty of these nations under their current military governments, we must now adapt and chart a forward-looking path.”
Despite the challenges, Tuggar urged member states to see the crisis as an opportunity for institutional reform and renewed commitment to regional integration.
He emphasised that ECOWAS remains the most integrated regional bloc on the continent, united by harmonized policies and a shared vision for political stability, economic growth, and collective security.
“As we look ahead, our responsibility is to preserve the ECOWAS legacy and pass it on stronger to the next generation. Our unity has been tested before—and we emerged stronger. We will do so again,” he stated.
Tuggar called on his fellow ministers to engage constructively and ensure the smooth implementation of the withdrawal process, stressing that ECOWAS remains the premier platform for addressing West Africa’s common challenges.
“Membership, as the saying goes, has its privileges,” he added.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
