ECOWAS Faces Potential Disintegration as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Form Sahel Alliance

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) faces a critical juncture after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, led by military juntas, signaled their intent to leave the bloc by signing the Alliance of Sahel States treaty. This move underscores the three countries’ determination to turn away from the 15-member ECOWAS, which has been advocating for their return to democratic governance.

The ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray, warned that the region risks disintegration and worsening insecurity if these countries follow through with their plans. Touray emphasized the benefits of ECOWAS, including the freedom of movement and a common market of 400 million people, which could be jeopardized by the departure of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. He highlighted that funding for economic projects worth over $500 million in these countries might be halted or suspended.

“Disintegration will not only disrupt the freedom of movement and settlement of people, but it will also worsen insecurity in the region,” Touray stated. The withdrawal of these countries poses a significant threat to security cooperation, particularly in terms of intelligence sharing and the fight against terrorism.

The recent ECOWAS summit in Abuja focused on the implications of the Sahel States’ treaty, signed during a summit in Niamey, Niger’s capital. This new alliance allows Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to cooperate in the event of armed rebellion or external aggression. The three countries had already withdrawn from ECOWAS in January after the bloc’s firm stance against their coups.

Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tchiani described ECOWAS as a threat to their states, advocating for an alliance free of foreign influence. This sentiment was echoed by Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who criticized imperialist attitudes towards Africa. The alliance aims to foster greater sovereignty and economic ties, including the creation of a common currency, rejecting the France-backed CFA Franc.

Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tchiani (C) welcomed his Malian and Burkinabé counterparts, Col Assimi Goïta (L) and Capt Ibrahim Traoré (R), to Niamey

Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tchiani (C) welcomed his Malian and Burkinabé counterparts, Col Assimi Goïta (L) and Capt Ibrahim Traoré (R), to Niamey

Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tchiani (C) welcomed his Malian and Burkinabé counterparts, Col Assimi Goïta (L) and Capt Ibrahim Traoré (R), to Niamey

Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tchiani (C) welcomed his Malian and Burkinabé counterparts, Col Assimi Goïta (L) and Capt Ibrahim Traoré (R), to Niamey

The geopolitical landscape is shifting as the Sahel region increasingly aligns with Russia. The United States is set to complete its withdrawal from a key base in Niger, which it had established to combat armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIL. French troops have also withdrawn from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, highlighting the strained relations between the West and these Sahel countries.

Kabir Adamu, a security consultant, stressed that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger would still need regional support to combat armed groups exploiting any gaps created by their isolation. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), over 8,000 people were killed in Burkina Faso in 2023, with significant setbacks in the fight against armed groups in Niger.

As the Sahel region navigates these tumultuous changes, ECOWAS leaders are tasked with finding ways to bring these countries back into the fold and ensure regional stability. The activation of a regional standby force to combat terrorism and the discussions on a regional currency are critical decisions facing the bloc as it responds to the evolving political and security landscape in West Africa.