Sahel States Break Away from ECOWAS and Form New Confederation

iexclusivenews – Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, three countries in the Sahel region of West Africa, have decided to form a new confederation and leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

This was confirmed by the Malian foreign ministry on Thursday, after a meeting of the three countries’ ministers in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.

Why Did They Leave ECOWAS?

The three countries, which are all under military rule, announced their intention to withdraw from ECOWAS in January.

They cited dissatisfaction with the regional bloc’s interference in their internal affairs, especially after ECOWAS suspended them following military coups that overthrew their elected governments.

ECOWAS, which was founded in 1975 and comprises 15 member states, has tried to persuade the three countries to reconsider their decision, warning of the negative consequences of their isolation and the loss of trade and economic benefits.

However, the three countries have rejected ECOWAS’s appeals and have chosen to pursue closer cooperation among themselves under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a mutual defence and economic pact that they established in September 2023.

What Is the Alliance of Sahel States?

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is a new initiative that aims to strengthen the political, economic and security ties between Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which are among the poorest and most unstable countries in the world.

The three countries face a common threat from Islamist militants, who have been waging a violent insurgency in the Sahel region for over a decade, killing thousands of people and displacing millions more.

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The AES also seeks to create a monetary union and a common currency, which would replace the CFA franc, the currency used by most West African countries and pegged to the euro.

The CFA franc has been criticized by some as a relic of colonialism and a source of economic dependence on France.

The AES also plans to cut off military ties with France, the former colonial power, which has been leading a counter-terrorism operation in the Sahel region since 2013, with the support of other European and African countries.

The three countries have accused France of meddling in their affairs and failing to protect them from the militants.

They have also expressed interest in developing closer relations with Russia, which has offered to sell them weapons and provide military training.

What Are the Implications of the New Confederation?

The formation of the new confederation by the three Sahel states has raised concerns about the future of regional integration and stability in West Africa.

Some analysts have warned that the move could undermine the authority and legitimacy of ECOWAS, which has played a key role in promoting peace and democracy in the region.

Others have cautioned that the new alliance could escalate the conflict in the Sahel region, as it could provoke a backlash from the militants and their allies, who may see it as a threat to their expansion.

The new confederation could also affect the international efforts to combat terrorism and humanitarian crises in the Sahel region, as it could create coordination challenges and reduce trust and cooperation among the different actors involved.

The new confederation could also have economic and social impacts on the three countries and their populations, as they could face trade barriers, sanctions, and isolation from their neighbours and partners.

The new confederation is still in its early stages and many details remain unclear. It is not yet known how the three countries will implement their plans and how they will manage their differences and challenges.

The new confederation is a bold and risky move by the three Sahel states, which reflects their desire for more autonomy and sovereignty. Whether it will succeed or fail remains to be seen.