President of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, has said the regional bloc will continue to stay united despite the exit of three of its member countries.
Touray, during a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, reiterated ECOWAS’ decision to “keep its doors open” to any of the existing countries that intend to return.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger had withdrawn their membership from ECOWAS and today (January 29) made their exit official.
ECOWAS, in a statement released on Wednesday morning, urged member states not to cut bilateral ties with them despite their withdrawal from the regional bloc.
The statement also urged member states to continue to recognize ECOWAS passports from the three countries while granting their citizens visa free movements.
ECOWAS also urged members to maintain trade with the countries and accord its citizens working with the ECOWAS their due regard until a further directive is given.
Responding to questions from journalists during the press briefing, Touray said two out of the three countries have responded to calls to meet in order to formalize their withdrawal from the community.
He however noted that the countries’ withdrawal from ECOWAS will affect their citizens who work within the organization as soon as the exit is finalized.
Touray said, “I have proposed that we meet to initiate the withdrawal formalities, as you know the withdrawal formalities includes legal, pragmatic and institutional processes.
“We have begun to see the responses from these countries, two have indicated their availability for such talks. In the meantime, a number of questions have been raised and we must address them.
“The first one relates to the passport and ID Cards which citizens of the countries hold. ECOWAS is informing the public that these passports and ID cards will remain recognised by member states until further notice.
“Article 53 of the staff regulation states that when a country Withdraws from a Community, citizens from that country will cease to work with the ECOWAS,” he said.
The ECOWAS president noted that the three countries have debts and obligations they still owe the community and it would be part of the discussions to be held.
When asked about what ECOWAS is doing to ensure that no other country leaves, Touray said, “withdrawal is a sovereign decision, but ECOWAS has shown the importance of being a part of it. It is the only community where you can move around without issues, where member states can trade freely among themselves.
“This is what we must build up and I don’t expect anyone to have a problem with it.
“It is in our collective duty to work towards security and collaboration will continue at all levels. I believe we are now better positioned to address terrorism in the region, and this is why we hope that we can continue to collaborate even with our international partners to make things better.
On how the withdrawal will affect trade relations between the countries and the community, he said, “ECOWAS trade liberalisation scheme allows for free trade among members, so the negotiations we will have will cover areas of trade.
“July 29 is the deadline for the separation formalities, which would start today,” Touray stated.
The president added, “ECOWAS’ doors remain open, we are a community, Any member states can decide to return to the community at any time.
“Whatever happens we remain a united community and we will continue to work for the unity of the community.”
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