AES countries may rejoin ECOWAS anti-money laundering group

The Military-led West African nations of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger may be readmitted as members of the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in December. They would be joining as non-members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) if endorsed by the Authority of Heads of State of […]

The Military-led West African nations of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger may be readmitted as members of the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in December.

They would be joining as non-members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) if endorsed by the Authority of Heads of State of ECOWAS countries.

Already, the Ministerial Committee of the body had endorsed the application of the three countries to continue as members of GIABA, a specialised institution of ECOWAS dedicated to fight Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Proliferation Financing (ML/TF/PF).

It is charged with the responsibility to strengthen its member States’ capacity to prevent and control money laundering and terrorist financing in the region.

All ECOWAS members are in GIABA with two non-ECOWAS members – the Island of Comoros and Sao Tome and Principe – as members.

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formally exited ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, one year after their initial announcement before announcing the formation of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES),

Just on Monday, the three nations also withdrew from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Hague, tagging it a neo-colonial imperialist tool.

However, while they have ceased to be ECOWAS members, they recently applied to remain in GIABA.

Earlier in July, GIABA Ministerial committee approved the application of the three countries in order to maintain vital regional cooperation against illicit financial flows.

The approval is subject to ratification of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Governments at its meeting in December.

Confirming this during a journalists’ training in Guinea-Bissau, the Ag. Principal Officer, Communication and Advocacy, GIABA, Mr. Timothy Melaye, said, “If the authority approves it, we will have them back in GIABA by December.”