The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc of 15 nations, is facing a potential breakup as three member states – Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger – threaten to leave. This dramatic development comes amidst ongoing tensions between these junta-led governments and ECOWAS, which has been pressuring them to return to democratic rule following a series of coups in 2020-2023.
Junta-Led States Signal Exit with New Alliance
The deepening rift became undeniable on July 6th, 2024, when Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger signed the Alliance of Sahel States treaty. This act signifies their firm intention to sever ties with ECOWAS, raising serious concerns about the future of regional stability and economic cooperation.
West African leaders scrambled to address the situation. An emergency summit was convened in Abuja, Nigeria, on July 7th, with ECOWAS president Omar Touray painting a grim picture of the potential consequences if the three states depart. He emphasized the substantial benefits of ECOWAS membership, highlighting the free movement of people across the bloc’s 400 million population and a unified market that facilitates trade. Touray warned that disintegration would not only disrupt these economic ties but also exacerbate existing security challenges in the region.
Beyond the disruption of free movement and trade, Touray pointed to the potential economic fallout. Funding for crucial development projects exceeding $500 million in the departing countries could be jeopardized. Additionally, the loss of cooperation in intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism efforts would be a major setback for regional security. These joint efforts have been critical in combating the ongoing threat of extremist groups in the Sahel region.
ECOWAS Summit Seeks Solutions and Charts a Course Forward
The summit aimed to find solutions and chart a course forward for the troubled bloc. Discussions focused on the implications of the newly formed alliance by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These discussions included the future of a proposed regional standby force to combat terrorism, a project that could be significantly hampered by the potential loss of these three members. The summit also revisited the long-held dream of a unified West African currency, a project that now faces additional challenges due to the potential fracturing of the regional bloc.
The outcome of the summit remains to be seen. Whether diplomacy can prevail and convince Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to reconsider their decision is a major question mark. Furthermore, the coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the fate of ECOWAS and the future of West African unity.
Source: ReutersÂ
