Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali officially leaves ECOWAS

Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have indeed officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as of January 29, 2025. This move was announced by the military juntas of these countries, who cited several reasons for their exit, including ECOWAS’s imposition of “inhumane” sanctions in response to the coups in their nations, and the bloc’s deviation from its founding principles and Pan-Africanism. The juntas also accused ECOWAS of being influenced by foreign powers, thus becoming a threat to its member states rather than supporting them, particularly in their fight against terrorism and insecurity.
The withdrawal was formally acknowledged by ECOWAS, which, however, stated that its “doors remain open” for the three countries, suggesting a possibility for future re-engagement. This exit has significant implications for regional trade, security cooperation, and the free movement of people and goods within West Africa, potentially leading to increased costs and logistical challenges.
Nations extricating themselves from harmful treaties
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is a confederation formed by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, officially established on July 6, 2024. The AES was created in response to regional security challenges and as a reaction to perceived neocolonialism, particularly against French influence in the region. It originated as a mutual defence pact on September 16, 2023, following threats by ECOWAS to intervene militarily in Niger after a revolution in 2023. The alliance aims to foster regional stability, economic independence, and self-reliance, with goals to pool resources for infrastructure development, establish a common market, implement a monetary union, and ultimately move towards federalizing into a single sovereign state. All three countries are currently under military rule following coups in recent years (Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023). This has led to their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024, which they accused of betraying its founding principles and being influenced by foreign powers. The AES positions itself as an alternative regional bloc, emphasizing sovereignty, anti-imperialism, and a move away from Western-dominated structures. The 3 nations are making bold efforts to extricate themselves from the bondage of terrible treaties that have kept their people in darkness.
The AES’ Economic and Security Goals
The Alliance of Sahel States’ Anti-Western Stance
The AES has initiated several security and economic initiatives. They’ve established a joint military force of 5,000 troops aimed at combating terrorism across their territories, with plans for this force to have its own air assets, equipment, and intelligence resources. There are proposals for a common central bank and a new currency to replace the CFA franc, alongside efforts to enhance free movement of people, goods, and foster economic integration. The alliance has sought to strengthen ties with non-Western powers like Russia, China, and Turkey, moving away from traditional Western military and economic partnerships. Russia, in particular, has been noted for providing military support and debt relief to these countries. Francophone nations have had to remove themselves from shackles of French Imperialism.
In 2024, they cut military ties with Western powers and invited Russian mercenaries, specifically the Wagner Group, to assist in security matters. Following comments by Ukrainian officials in August 2024 about supporting separatists in Mali, the AES has accused Ukraine of supporting terrorism, leading to Mali and Niger severing diplomatic ties with Ukraine.
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ECOWAS – AES Relations
AES’s plans for a common central bank and a new currency.
While ECOWAS initially suspended these countries after their coups, the formation of AES has been seen as a move to counter ECOWAS’s influence. Some neighbouring countries like Chad and Guinea have shown support by enhancing regional security ties and providing diplomatic backing, respectively. However, the alliance’s formation has also been critiqued for potentially complicating regional security efforts due to the divided stance. As of January 21, 2025, Ghana has appointed a special envoy to the AES to bridge relations, indicating a nuanced approach from some ECOWAS members towards the alliance. The AES’s actions towards economic independence include plans for a common central bank and a new currency.  The establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) marks “an additional step towards further integration between the member states” of the AES, an AES investment bank and a stabilization fund for member countries will be created. Africa Solutions to African Issues. Remember, these countries are intent on extricating themselves and their leaders from the foreign influence that has plundered their resources.
ECOWAS is, on paper, an economic alliance deeply tied to Western states like France and the US. However, in 2023, it threatened a military invasion against Niger after the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland coup. ECOWAS threats turned out to be bark without bite as the war failed to materialize. In a last-ditch effort to deter Niger from separation, heavy sanctions against the military government were lifted. The AES builds upon a recent mutual defence pact among the three armies to safeguard against internal rebellions and external threats. Following the coups and the expulsion of US and French troops, the AES also blocked exports of some crucial resources from these mineral-rich countries.
Written  by Tatenda Belle Panashe