Niamey, Niger — The military junta leaders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have unequivocally ruled out rejoining the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, marking a significant geopolitical shift that could further complicate efforts to curb the escalating violence in the region.
In their first summit held in Niamey since withdrawing from ECOWAS in January, the leaders accused the bloc of failing its mandate and committed to consolidating their union under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), established last year amidst deteriorating relations with neighbouring countries.
Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, criticized ECOWAS, stating that it has become “a threat to our states.” He emphasized the creation of the AES as an alliance for the peoples of the Sahel, free from foreign influence. “We are going to create an AES of the peoples, instead of an ECOWAS whose directives and instructions are dictated to it by powers that are foreign to Africa,” Tchiani declared.
The summit, attended by Presidents Assimi Goita of Mali, Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso, and Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger, highlighted the deep divisions within ECOWAS. The three countries signed agreements covering security, economic, monetary, and social cooperation, solidifying their commitment to the AES.
This meeting occurred just a day before an ECOWAS summit in Abuja, Nigeria, where the remaining member states are set to convene. The timing underscores the stark division within the regional bloc, which has long been a central political authority for its 15 member states.
Analysts suggest that the two meetings reflect a critical schism in ECOWAS, particularly following the unprecedented withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. The formation of the AES represents a strategic pivot for these nations, aiming to build a sovereign community that they believe better addresses their needs and interests.
Mali is set to hold the rotating presidency of the AES for the next year, while Burkina Faso will host the organization’s parliamentary summit. This reorganization signifies a concerted effort by the three nations to establish a new regional framework in response to what they perceive as the inadequacies of ECOWAS.
