Mali, Burkina and Niger, “visa-free space” for ECOWAS nationals

The three countries which form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), all governed by juntas hostile to France, announced in January their desire to leave ECOWAS, an organization today bringing together 15 countries and which they consider exploited by the former colonial power.

“The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) is a visa-free space for any national of the member states” of Cedeo, affirms a press release read Saturday evening by the Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mali, Abdoulaye Diop, on Malian public television .

ECOWAS nationals “have the right to enter, move around, reside, establish themselves and leave the territory of the member states of the Confederation of Sahel States in compliance with the national texts in force,” says the press release signed by the Malian head of state, General Assimi Goïta, president of the AES.

The press release was published some 24 hours after another of the same three States deeming their upcoming withdrawal from ECOWAS “irreversible”.

Read also: Niger, Mali and Burkina consider their upcoming withdrawal from ECOWAS “irreversible”

“While recalling the irreversible decision of the States of the Confederation to withdraw from ECOWAS, the ministers urge (…) to continue discussions aimed at agreeing on exit arrangements in the interest of the populations of the Confederation,” they said. they said Friday after a ministerial meeting the same day in Niamey.

According to ECOWAS texts, the departure of the three countries becomes effective one year after its announcement, therefore in January 2025.

ECOWAS is holding a summit on Sunday in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, to discuss this thorny issue, but no delegation from the AES countries has been announced and their presence remains unlikely at this stage.

The AES confederation represents a vast landlocked territory, with a population of 72 million inhabitants.