The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said it has agreed to maintain the status quo on free movement of persons and trade with Burkina-Faso, Mali and Niger Republic.

The three countries officially pulled out of the regional body in January 2025 due to a fall out occassioned by the undemocratic change of government in the three countries.

The three countries have since set up the Alliance of Sahel States, with common travel document. 

But, ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray said despite their withdrawal, ECOWAS agreed to still allow for free movement of persons and goods and also trade until a new  agreement is in place.

Touray said the ECOWAS was more concerned about the welfare of the citizens.

He spoke at the launch of ECOWAS four  initiatives aimed at enhancing trade in the West Africa Region.

The initiative is in conjunction with UNIDO, GIZ, the EU, the German and Spanish Governments, Expertise France, AECID, FIAP,  and ITC.

 Flagging off the launch, Touray said the agreement was reached at its meeting in Accra, Ghana in April 2025. 

He said: “We have agreed until we adopt a new agreement, we will maintain the status quo in all areas.

“Status quo in the area of trade, status quo in the area of free movement.

“And we will also continue to explore avenues of collaboration in the area of peace and security.”

He stressed that though ECOWAS has lost green members, “but ECOWAS has always been 400 million people. And the 400 million people will continue to enjoy free movement within this sub-region. And trade will continue within a space of 400 million. Excellencies, this is the situation as I speak.

“Until there is a new agreement, we maintain the status quo. Of course, the institutional framework, if I look at it, nothing changes for the ordinary person. And the whole objective is to ensure that the people of West Africa continue to benefit from the fruits of regional integration that has been built over the past 50 years.”