What Next for Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso After ECOWAS Exit?

Heads of state of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso at the First Summit of Alliance of Sahel States © Peoples Dispatch

By Edward Francis Dalliah

Nearly a year has passed since Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso made the significant decision to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The three nations justified their move as a “sovereign decision,” citing what they described as ECOWAS’s drift away from the core ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism. This shift in regional dynamics has raised important questions about the future political and economic relationships in West Africa.

The relationship between ECOWAS and these three countries has been strained since a series of military coups. Mali’s coup occurred in 2020, followed by Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger’s in 2023. ECOWAS, which traditionally advocates for democracy and civilian governance, condemned these coups and imposed sanctions, calling for a return to civilian rule. However, instead of reversing course, the three countries deepened their defiance and pursued closer ties among themselves.

AES Summit Leaders, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso © CaptainIb226 on X

In their joint statement announcing the withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024, the three nations expressed dissatisfaction with the regional bloc’s interference in their internal matters. They accused ECOWAS of failing to respect their sovereignty and of straying from its original mission of promoting regional integration and stability.

The three countries moved ahead and established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in July 2024 during a summit in Niamey, Niger. The AES aims to foster cooperation and solidarity among the Sahelian nations, focusing on common goals such as security, economic development, and resisting foreign influence.

After months of diplomatic back-and-forth, ECOWAS officially approved the withdrawal of the three countries in December 2024, though it granted them a six-month grace period. This is aimed at offering the three countries an opportunity to reconsider their decision.

Mali's Assimi Goita, Niger's General Abdourahamane Tiani and Burkina Faso's Captain Ibrahim Traore © GoitaAssimi on X