The African Union (AU) issued a call on Tuesday for dialogue between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and junta-led countries Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
The three countries announced on Sunday that they would exit ECOWAS. This is a setback for the bloc’s efforts at regional integration, which it halted in the wake of coups.
The AU had provided support for ECOWAS’s democratic rebuilding initiatives.
“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, learned with deep regret of the announcement of the withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS,” according to an AU statement.
The AU stands ready to assist, as Mahamat urged regional leaders to heighten the level of dialog between the ECOWAS leadership and the three countries.
The foreign ministries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formally informed the ECOWAS Commission on January 29 of their intentions to withdraw from the bloc through written notices.
According to the bloc’s treaty, member states must give a one-year written notice to withdraw. The decision to leave the 15-member bloc may take time, allowing for negotiations.