Goodbye ECOWAS

The peace moves to resolve the crises in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso by the leadership of ECOWAS suffered some setback with their withdrawal from the sub-regional body


The battle of wits between Economic Community of West Africa States, ECOWAS, and some of her regional members have taken another dimension. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, three prominent members of the sub-regional bloc have decided to pull out from the body. The three countries which are currently under military regime announced their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS, accusing the body of becoming a threat to its members. According to a joint statement read to announce their withdrawal, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso “decide in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal” from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

ECOWAS “under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its population”, read the statement. The three countries accused the regional body of failing to support their fight against “terrorism and insecurity”, while imposing “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions”. Reacting to the withdrawal by the three member nations, ECOWAS said in a statement that it had not been notified of the countries’ decision to quit the bloc. Its protocol provides that withdrawal takes up to one year to be completed.

“Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse,” it said. Nigeria, while reacting to the withdrawal, stated that, “Nigeria stands with ECOWAS to emphasise due process and shared commitment to protect and strengthen the rights and welfare of all citizens of member states,” according to a statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, who also stated that Nigeria had worked with ECOWAS to promote peace, prosperity and democracy in the region. The statement further stated that, Nigeria had worked sincerely and in good faith to reach out to all members of the ECOWAS family to resolve the difficulties being faced.

However, “it is now clear that those seeking to quit the Community do not share that same good faith.” Instead, unelected leaders engage in a public posturing to deny their people the sovereign right to make fundamental choices over their freedom of movement, freedom to trade and freedom to choose their own leaders, Nigeria said. Nigeria further said it remains open to engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger so that all the people of the region can continue to enjoy the economic benefits and democratic values that ECOWAS embraces. It also appealed for continued support for ECOWAS from the International Community.

Widely seen as West Africa’s top political and regional authority, the 15-nation bloc of ECOWAS – formed in 1975 to “promote economic integration” in member states – has struggled in recent years to reverse rampant coups in the region where citizens have complained of not benefitting from rich natural resources. Military power grabs took place in Mali in 2020 and 2021, in Burkina Faso in 2022 and in Niger in 2023. The regional body reacted by suspending all three countries and imposed heavy sanctions on Niger and Mali. Military leaderships in the three nations have vowed to tackle the rise of violent armed groups in their countries and have joined forces in the so-called “Alliance of Sahel States”.

The three countries have cut military ties with France, their former colonial master. France once had a strong presence across the Sahel, but announced the withdrawal of its troops from the three countries after the coups. The French military withdrawal and economic sanctions on the already fragile economies have heightened concern that armed groups could spread southwards towards the relatively stable coastal countries of Ghana, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast. Apart from the three countries, sharing the same leadership pattern, military regime, they also have other things in common which include, border connection. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic border each other on different sides. From each of the countries, there is access to the other by land. Burkina Faso is bordered by Mali on the northwest and Niger Republic on the northwest.

They were also colonized by France. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic were, at different times, colonised by the same people. In the scramble for Africa, France took control of the three countries and colonised them. In the area of religion, they are also joined by the same faith. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic are predominantly Muslims, who constitute more than half of the population of each of the country.

Most importantly, they are all ruled by military government. The three countries are under military rule since 2020. Although earlier under democracy, the three nations, one after another, were taken over by military junta. It started in Mali in 2020 when Colonel Assimi Goita, leader of a military group, National Committee for the Salvation of the People, took over government. Burkina Faso followed suit in 2022 when Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power. Niger Republic was the last in 2023 as Captain Abdourahamane Tchiani, former head of the presidential guards, ousted the elected president.