ECOWAS does not rule out a return of AES countries – DW – 16/12/2024

In Mali, the weekend’s announcements from the leaders of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), as well as ECOWAS, are sparking a debate in the country, where some are wondering about the advisability of a divorce.

If the sub-regional institution noted on Sunday (15.12) once again the desire to leave Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, this leaves the latter with an open door for a possible change of mind , by next July.

The day before, the college of heads of state of the AES had, for its part, confirmed their departure, while keeping their borders open for all nationals of the sub-regional area.

Six month transition

The 66th ECOWAS summit was considered by some observers as “that of separation”. But, in both camps, positions seem to be softening, with the six-month transition announced by the sub-regional organization and the free movement of people from ECOWAS countries, as well as their goods, on the territories of the AES member states.

Timbuktu blogger Fatoumata Harber, commonly known as “Tinbutu Woye” on social media, says she followed the various announcements with a lot of uncertainty.

She asks if “the AES will be a space of three countries where freedom of expression will no longer exist, where the citizen will no longer be consulted on anything concerning the life of the nation? It is above all this aspect which seems to me the More importantly, what we want to know is what are the changes to our life as citizens? Will we, as a member of the AES, have peace, security, electricity to run? our businesses?”

“The Cédéao family”

For Sidi Touré, head of communications for Parena, the Party for National Renaissance, of the former head of Malian diplomacy Tiebilé Dramé, it would be appropriate for Mali to remain “in the Cédéao family”.

He believes that “Mali is a country which has a pan-African vocation, which has always worked for sub-regional integration. We believe, as such, that Mali must remain in ECOWAS for the simple reason that we are a country of immigration, we practically have our nationals in all countries. The AES, in its capacity as a political-military organization, can remain within ECOWAS in order to make major changes, to correct the inadequacies. so that this organization can further respond to the concerns of its citizen-members.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are among the founding members of the Economic Community of West African States.

Their departure divides even within the conference of heads of state and government of the sub-regional organization. Senegal and Togo will try to mediate until the end of July next year to bring them back into the organization.