In a joint statement released on Sunday, three West African nations, all led by military governments, announced their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), citing concerns that the regional bloc has become a threat to its member states.
The statement declared that Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have decided to withdraw from ECOWAS in complete sovereignty, highlighting their belief that the organization, influenced by foreign powers, has strayed from its founding principles and now poses a danger to its members and their populations. The three countries criticized ECOWAS for its alleged failure to support their efforts in combating terrorism and insecurity, while also condemning what they perceive as the imposition of illegal, illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible sanctions.
Although ECOWAS stated that it had not been officially notified of the withdrawal, it acknowledged the importance of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali within the community and reaffirmed its commitment to seeking a negotiated solution to the political challenges.
ECOWAS, established in 1975 to promote economic integration among member states, has faced significant challenges in recent years, particularly with the prevalence of coups in the region. Mali experienced military coups in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023. In response, ECOWAS suspended all three countries and imposed heavy sanctions on Niger and Mali.
Despite efforts by Niger to mend relations with ECOWAS, as evidenced by an invitation extended to ECOWAS representatives to visit Niamey, only Togo responded, indicating a perceived lack of goodwill within the organization.
The military leadership of the three nations has committed to addressing the increase in violent armed groups operating within their territories and has formed the “Alliance of Sahel States” to collectively confront this challenge. Furthermore, they have terminated military relations with France, their former colonial authority, in response to France’s troop withdrawal from the region following the coups.
The withdrawal of French forces and the imposition of economic sanctions on already vulnerable economies have sparked concerns about the potential expansion of armed groups towards more stable coastal nations like Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast.
The region has experienced a significant increase in attacks, with over 1,800 recorded in the first six months of 2023, resulting in nearly 4,600 deaths and severe humanitarian consequences. According to a top ECOWAS regional official, this represents just a fraction of the devastating impact of insecurity in the region.
