Three West African countries, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, have announced their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The joint statement, broadcasted on Niger national television, was issued by the military regimes of the three Sahel nations, citing a “sovereign decision” to leave the regional bloc without delay.
Colonel Amadou Abdramane, the spokesman for the Niger junta, expressed the disappointment of the people of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, stating that ECOWAS had deviated from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism. Abdramane emphasized ECOWAS’s failure to support the states in their fight against terrorism and insecurity as a significant factor in their decision to withdraw.
The departure of these countries comes after years of strained relations with ECOWAS, particularly following recent coups in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. The three nations had been suspended from ECOWAS, with Niger and Mali encountering severe sanctions.
Struggling with jihadist violence and poverty, these nations have formed an “Alliance of Sahel States” as they confront significant security challenges. Their withdrawal from ECOWAS has raised concerns about the potential spread of conflicts southward to Gulf of Guinea states, including Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast.
The French military’s planned withdrawal from the Sahel region has added to the apprehension, amplifying worries about the conflicts extending to the Gulf of Guinea states.
The prime minister appointed by Niger’s military regime openly criticized ECOWAS, accusing the bloc of “bad faith” for largely shunning a planned meeting in Niamey. The absence of dialogue and the imposition of heavy economic and financial sanctions following the military coup have further strained the relationship between Niger and ECOWAS.
The departure of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics and security challenges in West Africa. As the region grapples with political instability and security threats, the implications of this withdrawal are likely to reverberate across the continent.
