On 29 January 2025, the year‑long notice by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger of denunciation of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty went into effect, marking their exit from the Community. At their exit, these three states represented 54.35% of the total landmass of ECOWAS; 20% of the sovereign membership of the Community; 17.4% of the population; and 10% of its GDP. In addition to being the Community’s three landlocked members, they also represent its Sahelian frontier. Their departure carries far‑reaching consequences. All three states were founding members of the Community, and their departure after 50 years marks a consequential moment for regional integration in West Africa and for ECOWAS more specifically.
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