Foreign ministers from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) convened on Sunday in Ouagadougou to finalize preparations for their official withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali are set to exit the regional bloc on Tuesday, January 28.
During the meeting, the ministers emphasized a unified approach to negotiations with ECOWAS, aiming for peaceful coexistence. They underscored the importance of presenting the AES as a cohesive entity in future discussions with the bloc.
The decision to leave ECOWAS follows strained relations between the three nations and the regional body. Tensions escalated after military coups in Mali (2020), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023), which prompted ECOWAS to suspend their memberships and demand a return to civilian rule.
Instead of complying, the military-led governments expelled French troops from their territories and sought Russian support to combat the jihadist insurgency plaguing the region. Their decision to form the AES, a regional alliance focused on mutual security and development, marked a clear departure from ECOWAS’ influence.
As the formal withdrawal looms, the Sahel alliance seeks to redefine its relationship with ECOWAS while asserting its role as a new regional actor. The move signals a significant shift in West Africa’s geopolitical landscape and raises questions about the future of regional cooperation in the face of ongoing security challenges.