Coup: A Nigerian holds a placard that says “Together we will succeed” during a march called by supporters of coup leader General Omar Chianis.Photo: Jibo Isifou/Getty Images
TThe military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced immediate withdrawal from Ecowas, which they say poses a threat to their sovereignty.
After announcing the move in a joint statement over the weekend, Burkina Faso and Mali said they had sent “official notification” of their withdrawal to the Economic Community of West African States, with Niger expected to follow soon.
Some observers believe that the departure of the three founding members of Ecowa, which was formed in 1975, could disrupt trade and set back a return to civilian rule in countries grappling with jihadist violence and poverty. I am concerned that there is.
The three accused Ecowas of an “irrational and unacceptable stance” after the 15-nation bloc imposed a range of sanctions to hasten a return to democratic rule.
In August, Ecowas threatened military intervention following the overthrow of Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum. Although that did not materialize, the fallout added to the tensions that had been building following coups in Mali in 2020 and Burkina Faso in 2022.
The trio, who formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), said on Sunday that Ecowas was “in violation of its founding principles and under the influence of foreign powers” and was a “threat to its member states and peoples”.
Burkina Faso and Mali are scheduled to hold elections later this year, which would meet the ecowa conditions for sanctions relief. But military authorities want the “transition” period to be extended, citing the deteriorating security caused by the jihadist insurgency.
Niger's military leader, General Abdoulahamane Tiani, has not yet released a projected timeline for restoring civilian rule.
Fahiraman Rodrigue-Kohn, a Sahel regional expert at the Institute for Security Studies, suggested that “AES countries were anticipating further discussions about ending the transition.”
“The withdrawal from Ecowas seems to put that behind us.”
Ivorian pro-government newspaper Le Patriot commented: [the AES leaders] They want to stay in the presidential chair forever. ”
Withdrawal would be a major blow given that Ecowas guarantees visa-free travel and the right to settle and work in member states. The loss of these benefits raises concerns, as does the potential impact on regional trade.
All three countries are landlocked, and their major coastal economic partners, particularly Senegal and Ivory Coast, are members of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). The group also guarantees “freedom of movement and residence” between its eight member states, as well as tariff-free trade in certain items in line with customs harmonization and trade norms.
One country that could feel the effects of the withdrawal is Nigeria, which is not a member of WAEMU. Although Nigeria accounts for more than half of Ecowas' total GDP and is adjacent to Niger's main economic partner, much of their common 1,500-kilometre border is poorly controlled for both security and trade.
“Goods and people will return to Niger, even if by smuggling. Sokoto is inseparable. [northern Nigeria] From Konni [Niger] It’s the same people,” said Chaibou Chiombiano, secretary general of Niger’s Import, Export and Wholesalers Union.
The junta says it will withdraw “without delay,” but Ecowas rules stipulate that requests for withdrawal must be made in writing one year in advance.
Ecowas said Sunday that it had not received the notice.
“Legally speaking, it is impossible for us to withdraw without delay,” Cohn said. “These countries will need to find some form of agreement, and negotiations will likely move towards finding a means of gradual withdrawal.”
Amid jihadist advances in the Sahel, “the region is becoming more fragmented and subject to stronger geopolitical competition, which is not good news for stability,” Cohn warned.
Sharp criticism of the CFA franc, the common currency of WAEMU members, by the military junta and its supporters could prompt the Sahel coalition to withdraw from the organization and abandon the free exchange of goods and labor. —AFP
