The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has rejected a withdrawal timeline proposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), labeling it a strategy to undermine their unity and sovereignty.
At a recent summit in Abuja, Nigeria, ECOWAS announced a six-month period for the AES nations to reconsider their decision to exit the bloc, with the official departure date set for the end of January 2025. The regional organization described the timeline as a “transition period” aimed at keeping communication channels open until July 29, 2025.
However, AES leaders dismissed the decision as a “unilateral” and “non-binding” move, accusing France and its allies of orchestrating efforts to destabilize their alliance. In a strongly worded communiqué, the AES reiterated that their decision to leave ECOWAS is “irreversible.”
The three Sahelian countries, which experienced military coups, have criticized ECOWAS for imposing “inhumane and irresponsible” sanctions instead of addressing their internal security challenges. Relations between the AES and ECOWAS have soured, with the AES actively pursuing its own initiatives, including the issuance of independent travel documents and strengthening internal alliances.
As ECOWAS membership provides significant benefits, such as visa-free movement across member states, questions remain about how the withdrawal will impact mobility and cooperation in the region.
The AES is determined to solidify its newfound entity, rejecting ECOWAS’ overtures and focusing on bolstering its collective strength and regional security.
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