The Presidency has said that some West African nations that announced their departure from the Economic Community of West African States following recent military takeovers are reportedly taking steps to re-engage with the regional bloc within the six-month window set last December.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, revealed this just as President Bola Tinubu departed Abuja for the 46th Ordinary Session of the African Union’s Executive Council, scheduled to be held in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, from February 12 to 16, 2025.

The event will see the President participating in the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State. In his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman, he will provide a detailed report on the bloc’s handling of the situation.

Recall that in January 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS. The three nations accused the regional bloc of abandoning its founding ideals and yielding to external influences, criticising the sanctions imposed to reverse their respective military coups.

The withdrawal follows a series of military takeovers in Mali (2020 and 2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023), which led to their suspension from ECOWAS and strained relations with the bloc. 

In response, the withdrawing states formed the Alliance of Sahel States, a new regional bloc prioritising defence and mutual support. They have also distanced themselves from traditional Western allies, particularly France, and sought closer ties with Russia.