• ECOWAS was formed in 1975, with the mission to promote economic integration
• However, it has been shaken by separation, with some countries suspended or leaving outright
• TheRadar brings you the list of countries that have been out of the west African organisation

President Bola Tinubu, who was first elected as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Guinea-Bissau on July 9, 2023, was re-elected on Sunday, June 7, during the 65th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.

The ECOWAS, which was formed on 28 May 1975 with the mission to promote economic integration in all fields of economic activity via the Treaty of Lagos, has been shaken by separation in recent times

Countries out of ECOWAS by suspension, exit

The founding members of the community include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. 

However, there are countries that have been suspended and one that has left the ECOWAS since its inception. 

5 countries that have left ECOWAS

Here are countries that have either been suspended from ECOWAS or left the bloc since 1975.

1. Mauritania

Mauritania was one of the founding members of ECOWAS in 1975 however, the Arabic-speaking country decided to withdraw in December 2000 and subsequently signed a new associate membership agreement in August 2017.

2. Mali

Mali was suspended from ECOWAS on 30 May 2021, following its second military coup within nine months. On 28 January 2024, Mali announced via a joint statement with Niger, and Burkina Faso that they were withdrawing from ECOWAS "without delay". However, immediate withdrawal is not permitted under the ECOWAS protocol, Mali might remain in the bloc for up to a year. 

3. Guinea 

Similarly, Guinea was also suspended from ECOWAS on 8 September 2021, following a military coup that took place in the country. 

4. Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso was suspended on 28 January 2022, following a military coup. The country however announced that they were withdrawing from ECOWAS on 28 January 2024, but they might have to remain as a member for up to a year as immediate withdrawal isn't permitted under ECOWAS protocol. 

5. Niger 

Relatedly, Niger was suspended from ECOWAS following a coup d'état in the country in 2023. The nation announced on 28 January 2024, via a joint statement with Mali and Burkina Faso, that they were withdrawing from ECOWAS "without delay.” However, the country might remain in the bloc for up to a year as immediate withdrawal isn't possible under the ECOWAS protocol. 

List of African countries that have criminalised LGBTQ

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Nigeria is not the only African country that prohibited LGBTQ by law, numerous others condemned homosexual and non-binary relations.

In recent years, the global recognition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) rights had grown significantly and is legal in two-thirds of the countries in the world.