Three Sahel Countries Leave Ecowas Amid Tensions and Regional Uncertainty

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) following a year of escalating tensions, marking a significant shift in the regional political landscape. According to Ecowas officials, the departure is a substantial setback for the bloc, which was established in 1975 to promote economic and political cooperation in West Africa.

The split follows the military coups in the three nations and a series of sanctions imposed by Ecowas after Niger's coup in 2023. Mali and Burkina Faso have criticized these sanctions as "inhuman" and have expressed a commitment to defend Niger should Ecowas intervene militarily. The three countries have created a new alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which aims to maintain sovereignty and distance from perceived Western influence.

Analysts warn that this withdrawal could exacerbate security issues in the Sahel, a region besieged by jihadist violence. Critics argue that Ecowas's legitimacy has been undermined, particularly after losing 76 million people from its total population of 446 million. While the future remains uncertain, Ecowas has stated it remains open to discussions with the departing nations.