Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Reymond Awusei Johnson
Published on 2024-01-28 15:52:54
The move, which comes amid geopolitical tensions and shifting alliances, raises questions about the future of regional cooperation and stability in West Africa. All three countries are currently led by militaries that seized power from civilian leaders. Colonel Amadou Abdramane, Niger junta spokesman, said in a statement, “After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism.”
The three countries were suspended from ECOWAS following the coups, and relations between them and the regional bloc have deteriorated for months. Abdramane added, “The organization notably failed to assist these states in their existential fight against terrorism and insecurity.” Last year, they withdrew from an international force known as the G5 that was set up to fight Islamists in the Sahel region, forming their own so-called Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
At a summit in Nigeria’s capital Abuja in December, West African leaders demanded a “short” period of transition toward civilian rule in coup-hit Niger before they would ease economic sanctions on the country. Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum was deposed in July 2023, and the junta said it would take three years to return to civilian rule.
In Mali’s case, civilian rule was last in place before the first of two coups, in August 2020. Burkina Faso’s elected government was ousted in 2022. The country has not been put under sanctions and its current ruler, Captain Ibrahim Traore, has allowed elections to take place this summer. But he has said the fight against the insurgents remains the top priority.
The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the ECOWAS is a significant development that has raised concerns about the future of regional cooperation and stability in West Africa. The military-led governments in the three countries have been at odds with the regional bloc, citing its failure to assist them in their fight against terrorism and insecurity. Despite the suspension from ECOWAS, these countries have formed their own alliance to address the security challenges in the region. Consequently, there is uncertainty about the effectiveness of regional cooperation and peacebuilding efforts in the face of evolving geopolitical tensions and leadership transitions.
