Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso will officially exit the Economic Community of West African States on Wednesday, marking the culmination of a one-year withdrawal process initiated by the military regimes in the three countries.
In January 2024, the nations formally notified ECOWAS of their decision to leave the bloc, citing dissatisfaction with the organization’s handling of their political and security challenges. ECOWAS required a one-year notice for the withdrawal, which expires on January 31, 2025.
The three countries, now united under the Alliance of Sahel States have accused ECOWAS of imposing “inhuman, illegal, and illegitimate” sanctions following military coups in their respective countries. They also argue that ECOWAS has failed to adequately support their fight against jihadist violence, with accusations that the bloc is influenced by France, their former colonial ruler.
The AES has announced plans to introduce a common passport on Wednesday and to establish a unified army of 5,000 soldiers to combat jihadist threats in the region.
“We are building a strong and united front to address the challenges in the Sahel region,” said a statement from the alliance leaders.
The withdrawal of these founding members has dealt a blow to ECOWAS, with experts warning that the bloc’s capacity to address political crises in the region has been severely weakened.
“The loss of these countries will undermine ECOWAS’s capacity to mediate conflicts and respond to security challenges,” said Gilles Yabi, founder of the West African think tank Wathi.
Tensions between AES countries and their ECOWAS neighbors have already emerged. Niger, for example, has accused Benin and Nigeria of hosting jihadist bases and supporting destabilization efforts, although both countries have denied these allegations.
Togo and Ghana have begun engaging with the AES, signaling potential shifts in regional alliances. Togo’s foreign minister has hinted at the possibility of joining the AES, while Ghana’s newly elected president, John Dramani Mahama, has opened dialogue with the Sahelian bloc.
“The AES is positioning itself as an alternative to ECOWAS, arguing that the current framework is not working,” said Rinaldo Depagne, deputy Africa director at the International Crisis Group.
The situation has sparked discussions on the need to reform ECOWAS. Some leaders and analysts have suggested that the bloc should focus on economic cooperation rather than enforcing democratic principles.
“ECOWAS must evolve to address the realities of the region,” said a former West African minister. “The AES could even serve as a model for a reformed ECOWAS.”
Despite the division, experts stress the importance of maintaining economic and security ties between ECOWAS and the AES to address shared challenges, including the ongoing jihadist violence that has devastated Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso and is spreading to coastal countries like Benin and Togo.
