West African leaders convened in Abuja, Nigeria, on Sunday for an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) summit dominated by pressing security challenges and the confirmed exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the bloc.
Ahead of the summit, the three military-led governments reiterated their “irreversible” decision to withdraw from ECOWAS, accusing the organization of serving the interests of former colonial power France. The departure poses significant implications for regional free trade, movement, and security, especially as jihadist insurgencies continue to destabilize the Sahel.
In response to the growing divide, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, appointed in July as a mediator with the breakaway states, reported progress in ongoing dialogue. Faye emphasized the need for sustained relations, citing the critical importance of cooperation in combating insecurity.
The withdrawal process for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger is expected to conclude in January 2025, in line with ECOWAS regulations. Meanwhile, the three nations have established their own coalition, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), as they shift alliances away from France towards Russia.
While the three states did not announce plans to attend the Abuja summit, they convened a separate ministerial meeting in Niamey, Niger, on Friday. In a joint statement, they reaffirmed their commitment to the exit process, stressing the importance of acting in the best interests of their citizens.
The split further highlights the region’s political fragility, with ECOWAS already grappling with Guinea’s military-led government following a 2021 coup. The summit underscores the urgent need for innovative approaches to unify the bloc amidst mounting security and political challenges.
