Burkina Faso Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyélem de Tambèla disclosed on Tuesday that the country’s decision to withdraw from ECOWAS with other francophone countries like Mali and the Niger Republic was carefully considered.
The Prime Minister, in his opinion, disclosed the strained relationship that has led to disparity between them and ECOWAS, particularly relating to the military regime operated by the three countries.
He added that their decisions were based solely on total sovereignty from the West African bloc after their countries were faced with sanctions and suspensions following the overthrow of the duly elected civilian governments.
Apollinaire accuses ECOWAS of working against the interests of the public, adding that the body has metamorphosed into a technocratic instrument showing no remorse for issues affecting member states.
The withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso has been heavily criticized by the West African bloc, with ECOWAS expressing commitment to working together with the sanctions-hit countries on negotiated solutions to the political crisis affecting the countries.
The ECOWAS governing body condemned both Mali and Burkina Faso for declaring support for the military junta in Niger, which ousted the administration of President Bazoum in July 2023, citing their readiness to thwart further military coups in West Africa.
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso were among the founding members of ECOWAS in 1975, a body formulated to protect the interests of the West African bloc and to improve trade cooperation and economic and political stability within the region.
