Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso Exit ECOWAS as Withdrawal Takes Effect
The withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) officially takes effect on Wednesday, signaling a dramatic shift in the political and security dynamics of the region.
The three nations, governed by military regimes, formally notified ECOWAS of their decision to leave the bloc on January 29, 2024. While ECOWAS rules required a one-year notice period for the withdrawal to be effective, attempts by the bloc to extend the timeline by six months to allow for dialogue were ignored.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have now consolidated their alliance under the banner of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The confederation aims to foster deeper cooperation among the nations, including plans to introduce a common passport and establish a unified 5,000-strong military force to combat the persistent jihadist insurgencies in the region.
The military rulers of the three countries accuse ECOWAS of imposing unjust and illegitimate sanctions in the aftermath of the coups that brought them to power. They also argue that the bloc has failed to provide adequate support in their fight against extremist violence. The nations allege that ECOWAS remains influenced by their former colonial power, France, which they have collectively criticized as an adversary.
This growing rift with the West African bloc has led the countries to shift their alliances toward nations like Russia, Turkey, and Iran, further straining relations with ECOWAS and Western powers. The coup in Niger in 2023 marked a tipping point, as ECOWAS imposed strict economic sanctions and threatened military intervention to reinstate the ousted president. Although the sanctions have since been lifted, the fallout solidified the decision of the three nations to sever ties with the bloc.
Observers have raised concerns about the long-term impact of the withdrawal on ECOWAS, which loses three of its founding members. Analysts believe the exit weakens the bloc’s ability to mediate political crises and address security challenges across the region.
As Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso chart a new path under the AES, the geopolitical and security landscape of West Africa faces a period of uncertainty, with the fractures threatening to undermine collective efforts to maintain stability and combat insurgencies.
