In a significant development, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have decided to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS, following a prolonged disagreement over ECOWAS’s rejection of military rule in West Africa.

The Sahel nations, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, jointly declared their “sovereign decision” to leave ECOWAS on state televisions. They accused the regional group of deviating from the ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism after nearly five decades of existence.

The statement further claimed that ECOWAS, influenced by foreign powers, had become a threat to its member states and populations. The strained relations between the countries and ECOWAS escalated following coups in Niger (July 2023), Burkina Faso (2022), and Mali (2020).

These three nations were initially suspended from ECOWAS, with Niger and Mali facing substantial sanctions. In recent months, they strengthened their positions and formed an “Alliance of Sahel States.” The French military withdrawal from the Sahel raised concerns about conflicts spreading southward to Gulf of Guinea states.

Niger’s appointed Prime Minister, Ali Zeine, criticized ECOWAS for “bad faith” after the bloc largely ignored a planned meeting in Niamey. The bloc, in response, stated it had not received any official notification about the withdrawal from the three countries.

International relations experts suggest employing persuasive diplomacy to bring Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger back into the ECOWAS fold. They emphasize the importance of dialogue to address the root causes of the issues and prevent further deterioration.

While some experts see parallels with Mauritania’s past withdrawal, others caution against forcing erring members to stay, considering the sovereign nature of countries in international organizations. The situation reflects challenges within ECOWAS, with citizens questioning its effectiveness in addressing their concerns.

As the situation unfolds, the ECOWAS Commission says it remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse and is expected to make further pronouncements accordingly.