The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has withdrawn from the military governments of Niger, Mali, and Burkinabe.
The regional bloc’s presence in Nigeria made the official withdrawal announcement in a statement on Wednesday. ECOWAS has become a target for the three countries as a result of a string of coups, fighting with Muslim armed groups, and regional conflict.
The culmination of a yearlong process, the trio’s exit “has become effective today”, ECOWAS said. Following a military coup, the bloc demanded the resumption of democratic rule in Niger. They first made their intentions to leave in January 2024.
The bloc stated in the statement that it would “keep ECOWAS’ doors open” in the spirit of “regional solidarity” and that it would make an effort to prevent its unprecedented demise.
The remaining member states were asked to continue providing citizens from the three nations with membership benefits, including the right to free movement of goods and people.
PRESS STATEMENT Burkinabe, Mali, and Niger are all set to leave ECOWAS on January 29, 2025. twitter.com/3sydwMwh3R
The 15-nation bloc, which was established in 1975, has since become the region’s most powerful political force, frequently working with states to address domestic issues ranging from politics to security.
However, amid a series of military takeovers, continuing struggles with religious armed groups, and competition for influence between Russia and former colonial power France, the bloc has found itself in the crosshairs.
In Niger and Burkinabe, hundreds of people showed up on Tuesday to back the action.
They chanted slogans opposing French President Emmanuel Macron and other regional leaders with whom Niger has strained relations, such as Benin, Nigeria, or Ivory Coast, under the direction of members of the military-led government in Niamey, in the country’s capital.
In Burkina, thousands, including Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo and other members of the government, gathered in Ouagadougou’s Nation Square.
According to Ouedraogo, “To cut the cord of imperialism, we must use an axe rather than the delicate hands of a midwife.”
The military leaders of the three nations have accused ECOWAS of being influenced by France’s interests after taking office over the past five years amid a wave of coups. Amid the tensions, they have increasingly turned to Russia.
The Alliance of Sahel States, a security partnership established by the trio in September, aims to assist one another in preventing armed uprisings or external aggression.
Al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS)-linked arm groups have long battled for territory in all three countries, launching years of bloodshed.
Source: Aljazeera
Leave a Reply