Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger will no longer be members of the West African organization. The ECOWAS heads of state took note, during the summit organized this Sunday in Abuja, of the intention of the AES countries to leave the West African organization. A transition period of 6 months will open from January 29 at the end of which, at the end of July, the exit of the three Sahelian states from ECOWAS will be definitive.
We are witnessing the disintegration of a region that was once a model of integration, guardian of the treaties of Lagos of May 28, 1975 and Abuja of June 3, 1991, due to unhealthy interference.
The withdrawal of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is indeed a blow to regional unity and, by extension, to African unity. These events reflect the deep geopolitical and socio-economic tensions affecting the region.
Recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have exacerbated differences between these countries and regional institutions, particularly in the face of sanctions imposed by ECOWAS. These states often perceive the organization as aligned with Western interests, particularly those of France.
Nevertheless, what we can remember from this long standoff between ECOWAS and the AES is that the ECOWAS leaders did everything to show their AES counterparts that divorce is not inevitable and that the Alliance of Sahel States can exist within ECOWAS.
Observers, commentators and diplomats are clear: there is little hope of dialogue for the trio to reverse their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS despite the transition period which will open from January 29.
This withdrawal deeply divides the populations of three countries of the confederation, thus creating three blocs, namely: pro-withdrawal, anti-withdrawal and neutrals.
“I am a strong supporter of a withdrawal of the AES countries from ECOWAS. For me, what we must do is work hard to ensure our independence in all areas. The fact that we have to leave ECOWAS on January 29 should not be seen as a bad thing. Despite the advantages offered by the European Union, Great Britain has decided in complete sovereignty to leave the European Union, but London still continues to collaborate with 27 countries of the Union. I think that these three countries are in the same dynamic of bilateral collaboration with the other ECOWAS countries”comments this supporter who sees this withdrawal as an absolute necessity, because, according to him, ECOWAS has become a terrible institution.
“I think it is not too late, the leaders of the AES can review their decision to prevent the people of the AES from suffering from restrictions on the free movement of people and goods within ECOWAS . Free movement which could also limit employment opportunities and affect the mobility of workers, thus worsening economic conditions for the Malian population”advises an anti-withdrawal who thinks that this withdrawal is a political maneuver to avoid the holding of free and transparent elections, thus allowing military regimes to prolong their power or transition without being accountable to the international community.
“Whether we leave ECOWAS or not, it makes me neither hot nor cold. The main thing is that the three leaders of the confederation build a strong and prosperous AES modeled on our intrinsic values while opening up to others”adds a supporter of the line of neutrality.
Ousmane Mahamane
