- Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have formally withdrawn from ECOWAS after a year of diplomatic tensions
- The three countries have established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) as an alternative to ECOWAS
- ECOWAS stated that it remains open to dialogue and has invited representatives to discuss withdrawal formalities
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have officially severed ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), marking a significant shift in the region’s political and economic landscape.
The three junta-led nations formally exited the regional bloc on Wednesday, January 29, following prolonged diplomatic tensions that have strained relations for over a year.
The withdrawal poses a major challenge to ECOWAS, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and has long been considered one of Africa’s most influential regional organizations.
Despite the departure, ECOWAS leadership has expressed openness to future dialogue.
Omar Alieu Touray, the head of the bloc, reiterated during a press conference in Abuja, Nigeria, that ECOWAS would “keep its doors open” to the three nations.
He extended an invitation for representatives to attend a technical meeting to finalise withdrawal procedures, emphasising the potential for future reconciliation.
The tensions between ECOWAS and the three Sahel states escalated following a series of military coups—first in Mali (2020), then Burkina Faso (2022), and most recently in Niger (July 2023).
When ECOWAS imposed heavy sanctions on Niger and even threatened military intervention to reinstate the ousted president, the break with the regional bloc deepened.
In January 2024, the three nations jointly announced their decision to leave ECOWAS immediately.
However, the bloc's regulations required a one-year notice period, making their departure official only now.
The military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have criticised ECOWAS for what they describe as “inhuman, illegal, and illegitimate” sanctions.
They also accuse the organisation of failing to adequately support their fight against jihadist insurgencies and of maintaining close ties with France, the former colonial power in the region.
As an alternative to ECOWAS, the three nations have established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a new regional bloc aimed at fostering economic and security cooperation.
The move signals a shift in their geopolitical alignments, as all three countries have distanced themselves from France and sought security partnerships with Russia, Iran, and Turkey.
In response to their departure, ECOWAS has stated that, for now, passports from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger bearing the ECOWAS logo will remain valid.
Citizens from these countries will continue to enjoy visa-free movement, residency, and business rights within ECOWAS territories until a new directive is issued.
Similarly, trade relations with the three nations will adhere to existing ECOWAS regulations until the bloc determines its next steps.
While some ECOWAS member states have maintained a firm stance against the junta-led governments, others are taking a more conciliatory approach.
Notably, Togo and Ghana have normalised relations with the Alliance of Sahel States.
Ghana’s newly elected president, John Mahama, has even appointed a special envoy to engage with the breakaway bloc.
Touray emphasised that ECOWAS remains open to re-engagement, stating, “Any state can decide to return to the community at any time.”
However, with the formation of AES and growing geopolitical realignments, the long-term implications of this regional shift remain uncertain.
ECOWAS launches digital certificate of origin to boost regional trade
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) introduced the electronic Certificate of Origin in Lagos, marking a significant step toward enhancing regional trade.
The groundbreaking initiative aligns with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which is to simplify and accelerate cross-border trade across Africa.