Three military-ruled countries have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as announced by the bloc on Wednesday. This decision comes despite pressure from ECOWAS to restore civilian democratic governance in these nations.
ECOWAS provides its members with benefits such as visa-free travel, favorable trade tariffs, and access to a substantial market of $702 billion for approximately 400 million people in the region. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger had previously declared their intention to exit the alliance last year.
Subsequent negotiations between the leaders of these countries and ECOWAS failed to yield an agreement for their continued membership. Instead, the three juntas are moving forward with the formation of their own coalition, the Alliance of Sahelian States (A.E.S.), and have established a military force comprising 5,000 troops.
The juntas have framed their departure as a matter of sovereignty, criticizing ECOWAS as a neocolonialist entity pursuing a foreign agenda. Mali’s president, Assimi Goïta, stated that the distinction between ECOWAS and jihadist groups is minimal, as both contribute to the destabilization of the Sahel region.
This withdrawal is expected to weaken ECOWAS, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this May, reducing its membership from 16 to 12. Although Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are not the most populous or economically robust nations in the region, they account for over half of ECOWAS's total land area and 17 percent of its population.
ECOWAS has indicated that it remains open to the possibility of the juntas rejoining the alliance. However, analysts warn that the exiting countries may face significant challenges, including increased prices, food shortages, and political isolation.
Niger, which shares a 1,000-mile border with Nigeria, relies heavily on its neighbor for trade. Recently, relations have soured, with Niger accusing Nigeria of supporting jihadist groups against it.
According to the Global Terrorism Index, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso account for half of the world’s terrorism-related deaths, with the region surpassing the Middle East to become the global terrorism epicenter last year. Military juntas in these countries have used insecurity as a justification for their power grabs, despite a rise in attacks during their governance.
In response to recent coups, ECOWAS imposed economic sanctions and threatened military intervention to restore civilian rule in Niger. The bloc has faced criticism for perceived double standards, as it has not penalized civilian leaders who have caused political instability through election delays or constitutional changes.
A notable increase in military coups has occurred in Africa, with nine takeovers from 2020 to 2023, predominantly in West Africa. The juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have resisted ECOWAS's demands for a return to civilian rule, leading to the eventual lifting of sanctions and attempts at dialogue that were unsuccessful.
Experts suggest that the juntas seek autonomy from external influences and resist being directed on governance or election timelines. They have severed ties with traditional partners such as France and the United States, opting instead to strengthen relations with Russia for military support and to engage China for mining operations.
Recent protests in the capitals of the three countries celebrated the withdrawal from ECOWAS, although analysts indicate that public support for the juntas’ decision is limited, with dissenting voices being suppressed.
The human rights situation in these nations has deteriorated significantly, with numerous civilian casualties attributed to military actions and state-backed militias last year, according to human rights organizations.
Despite their withdrawal, the Sahelian juntas have begun to experience a degree of reduced isolation, with Ghana's new president appointing a special envoy to their alliance and Togo expressing interest in potential membership.