Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have officially withdrawn from ECOWAS after over a year of tensions, mainly due to military coups. The countries formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and criticized ECOWAS for its handling of security issues, particularly jihadist violence. ECOWAS remains open to dialogue.
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have officially pulled out of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), marking a significant shift in West African regional politics. The move follows ongoing tensions between the military-led governments of the three countries and ECOWAS over sanctions and military interventions.
The three nations, which were founding members of ECOWAS, had previously expressed their intentions to leave the regional organization after political unrest and military coups. In 2023, the coup in Niger led to the imposition of sanctions and threats of military action from ECOWAS, which further aggravated relations. Despite the withdrawal, ECOWAS leaders have maintained an open-door policy, welcoming further discussions with the three countries.
As part of the exit process, the three countries have formed a new alliance called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This confederation is seen as an alternative to ECOWAS, which has been criticized by military leaders for failing to address regional security issues, particularly concerning jihadist groups. The military governments of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have also moved away from France, seeking alliances with other nations like Russia, Iran, and Turkey for support.
While ECOWAS has stated that citizens from these countries will continue to enjoy rights under its protocols for the time being, the diplomatic rupture has raised questions about the future of regional cooperation in West Africa. The organization has emphasized that the door remains open for any of the countries to rejoin in the future.
