The official withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sparked significant concern over access to justice for victims of human rights abuses. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the departure of these Sahel countries, which was officially completed on January 29, 2025, threatens to deprive citizens of these nations of crucial legal avenues offered by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice.
The decision to leave ECOWAS was first articulated by the military junta-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger on 28 January 2024. They accused the regional bloc of “betraying its founding principles” and yielding to influences from foreign powers. As part of their grievances, they cited unauthorized sanctions imposed while they were addressing terrorism within their borders. However, these governments did not address international criticism over allegations of atrocities committed by their forces and the suppression of democratic institutions, as noted by the Council on Foreign Relations.
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has historically served as a pivotal institution for safeguarding human rights in the region, with landmark decisions such as the 2008 verdict against Niger for failing to prevent a case of slavery, highlighted in the court’s records.
Human Rights Watch has called on the authorities in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to reconsider their decision and urged ECOWAS to enter into dialogue to address the countries’ concerns without compromising human rights. The organization points out a stark lack of progress in investigating or prosecuting those responsible for significant offenses in these states. The HRW Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso chapters underscore the need for accountability as conflict-related abuses remain prevalent.
ECOWAS has responded to this situation by emphasizing its commitment to maintain open channels, encouraging member states to allow the free movement of people carrying an ECOWAS passport, as stated in their announcement. They continue to advocate for justice and the rule of law as core elements of regional stability and peace.