1 / 2
This beginning of year 2024 is of paramount importance for the ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO in French): two situations are particularly difficult to tackle for the international institution, first the postponing of the presidential elections in Senegal, and second the decision of certain countries to leave the organization.
An extraordinary meeting was held in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, this early February, to try to find answers to the current challenges and attempt to remain united in those times of uncertainty.
In Senegal, president Macky Sall, who asserted he would not be candidate for the upcoming elections, surprisingly decided to postpone the presidential elections. Originally planned in late February (25), they should now occur in December 15, that is to say practically ten months later.
The ECOWAS, the European Union and the United States are wishing Senegal to get back to what was expected, but Ismaïla Madior Fall, the Senegalese minister of Foreign Affairs, said Senegal was “listening to the message but would rather follow the internal political logic”.
In the Sahel region, uncertainty prevails as well after the decision of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to leave the ECOWAS. The three countries, all ruled by military juntas after coups that overthrew the governing power, are also quite close in their decisions and in the way they see the future. This crucial decision to leave an organization they have been part of for many years is of course not without heavy aftermath for the people, the region itself and the future of those who live there.
Being part of the ECOWAS allows you to travel the whole area without any visa: you can travel, but also work and live in the whole region without being compelled to get a long-term visa or any identity document but the one of your
2 / 2
native country. If Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso actually leave the ECOWAS, it will be impossible to travel and move as freely as before. The ECOWAS is still trying to convince the three countries to backtrack. Until when?
1 / 2
ECOWAS at the crossroads : how to tackle the Sahel and Senegalese issues?
This beginning of year 2024 is of paramount importance for the ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO in French): two situations are particularly difficult to tackle for the international institution, first the postponing of the presidential elections in Senegal, and second the decision of certain countries to leave the organization.
An extraordinary meeting was held in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, this early February, to try to find answers to the current challenges and attempt to remain united in those times of uncertainty.
In Senegal, president Macky Sall, who asserted he would not be candidate for the upcoming elections, surprisingly decided to postpone the presidential elections. Originally planned in late February (25), they should now occur in December 15, that is to say practically ten months later.
The ECOWAS, the European Union and the United States are wishing Senegal to get back to what was expected, but Ismaïla Madior Fall, the Senegalese minister of Foreign Affairs, said Senegal was “listening to the message but would rather follow the internal political logic”.
In the Sahel region, uncertainty prevails as well after the decision of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to leave the ECOWAS. The three countries, all ruled by military juntas after coups that overthrew the governing power, are also quite close in their decisions and in the way they see the future. This crucial decision to leave an organization they have been part of for many years is of course not without heavy aftermath for the people, the region itself and the future of those who live there.
Being part of the ECOWAS allows you to travel the whole area without any visa: you can travel, but also work and live in the whole region without being compelled to get a long-term visa or any identity document but the one of your
2 / 2
native country. If Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso actually leave the ECOWAS, it will be impossible to travel and move as freely as before. The ECOWAS is still trying to convince the three countries to backtrack. Until when?
Related
