Sahel States Exit ECOWAS: A Shift in Regional Alliances

Bamako, Mali - The Sahel nations of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), marking a significant turning point in regional politics after five decades of membership. This departure, which was initially decided upon a year ago, comes after numerous attempts at mediation failed to reconcile the differences between the military-led governments of these countries and the regional bloc.

With this exit, approximately 73 million people have left a collective market characterized by free movement and political cooperation among 15 member states. The relationship between these nations and ECOWAS has been under considerable strain since military coups occurred in Mali in 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023, which led to severe sanctions imposed by ECOWAS.

The departure significantly reduces ECOWAS's geographical footprint, although the area remains home to only about one-sixth of the roughly 440 million people living in the region. Economically, the three countries contribute only about one-twelfth of the community's total economic output, despite being rich in resources like gold and uranium, which are primarily exploited by foreign companies.

These nations are considered among the least developed globally, with longstanding trade routes running through the region that have historically facilitated the smuggling of various goods, including drugs and people, towards Europe.

The leadership in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger has accused ECOWAS of acting as an extension of former colonial power France, claiming that its demands for democratic governance primarily serve European interests rather than the needs of the Sahel nations. Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel Program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Bamako, remarked that the separation is permanent, indicating that the trio needs to establish a new alliance to position themselves as a counterforce to Western influence.

In response to their exit from ECOWAS, the three countries have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), aimed at fostering a cohesive approach to security and foreign policy among them. This new alliance will include initiatives for shared investment and infrastructure projects, with a notable pivot towards Russia as a primary partner. The nations have already entered into agreements with Moscow on matters such as military cooperation, agricultural development, and educational exchanges.

The ongoing conflict with Islamist militant groups in the region has claimed tens of thousands of lives since 2022, raising concerns about the future stability of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The implications of this withdrawal for their relationships with neighboring countries remain uncertain, particularly given the risk of violence spilling across borders. Furthermore, potential economic challenges loom, especially in densely populated border regions, which may see the reintroduction of tariffs and visa restrictions. These states also heavily rely on the ports of their ECOWAS neighbors for trade.