Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop insists his country, Burkina Faso and Niger, will not return to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), despite reconciliatory attempts by the bloc.
The military leaders of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso pulled out from the regional bloc in January and formed a confederation of their own on Saturday.
ECOWAS heads of state met in Abuja a day later and appointed the presidents of Senegal and Togo to dialogue with the three Sahel states to bring them back into the fold.
Diop railed against speculations about the possible introduction of visas for nationals of the three countries travelling within ECOWAS, saying Mali was open to cooperation with the body.
“Our heads of state were very clear in Niamey when they said the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWAS is irrevocable and was done without delay, and from now on, we must stop looking in the rear-view mirror”. Diop said.
The three countries left the bloc earlier in the year after accusing ECOWAS of being manipulated by France and not providing enough support for anti-insurgency efforts.
“We will have to maintain discussions with others to move forward, but I believe that the path we have embarked upon is not reversible”, he said.
Diop emphasized that establishing a confederation marked just one phase of the process, and he expressed the broader goal of striving for a federation of the three states.
According to ECOWAS, the three countries are expected to adhere to a one-year timeframe for withdrawal. Still, the military leaders have asserted that their departure will take effect “without delay.”
The departure has raised concerns over the consequences for the free movement of goods and people within the region.