Mali explains why it will not respect regional bloc's one-year exit requirement

This announcement follows Mali's official declaration on January 28 along with Burkina Faso and Niger, that it would exit ECOWAS without delay.

Although the ECOWAS treaty provisions typically bind member states to a one-year timeframe following notification of withdrawal, Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 7 in a statement posted online said it will not respect the one-year timeframe.

The West African nation said ECOWAS had rendered the treaty "inoperative" when it violated its regulations by imposing sanctions on Mali including restricting Mali's right of access to the sea and freedom of transit, provided for by the UN Convention and closing its borders.

“In response, The Ministry reiterates the irreversible nature of the decision of the Government of the Republic of Mali to withdraw without delay from ECOWAS due to the violation by the Organization of its own texts, as well as the other legitimate reasons mentioned in Joint Communiqué N °001 of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger, dated January 28, 2024,” the statement said.

"Consequently, the Government of the Republic of Mali is no longer bound by the deadline constraints mentioned in Article 91 of the Revised Treaty and referred to by the Commission," the statement added.

Mali has been a founding member of ECOWAS back in 1975. ECOWAS suspended the country and imposed heavy sanctions after a military coup overthrew the elected civilian government in 2021.

ECOWAS who viewed Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger as important members reiterated its commitment to finding a negotiated solution since the announcement of their withdrawal from the bloc.