The foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger said on Sunday in New York that their countries’ withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was “irreversible”, while expressing support for a partnership with the regional organisation.
Foreign ministers Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré of Burkina Faso, Abdoulaye Diop of Mali and Bakary Yaou Sangaré of Niger met on 27 September with members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) diaspora living in the United States and Canada.
The discussions focused on developments within the Confederation and relations with ECOWAS. The three ministers said the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the West African organisation was final.
They nevertheless stressed that the decision did not reflect any desire for isolation. According to the ministers, the AES now seeks to establish a partnership with ECOWAS based on a clear legal framework that takes into account the interests of people across the West African region.
The ministers also presented members of the diaspora with several achievements attributed to the confederal framework. These included the operationalisation of the Unified Force, the establishment of AES media outlets and a development bank, as well as coordination of the three countries’ diplomatic efforts.
They also discussed the establishment of the AES Parliament and continued cooperation in security and development.
According to the official account of the meeting, diaspora representatives welcomed the leadership of the three countries’ leaders. They expressed their willingness to contribute more actively to the economic and social development of their respective countries.
They called in particular for greater consideration of the diaspora in public policy. They also advocated measures to facilitate diaspora investment across the AES area and called for discussions on monetary sovereignty.
The ministers also called on AES nationals to contribute to countering what they described as a disinformation campaign targeting the Confederation.
They urged them to strengthen coordination through diaspora associations, embassies and consulates, as well as among representatives of the three countries’ High Councils of the Diaspora.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Ho/Sf/lb/as/APA