Leaders from across West Africa have gathered in Abuja for the ECOWAS summit, convened just a day after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced a new alliance, signalling their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The military rulers of these Sahel countries, facing sanctions from ECOWAS following recent coups, formalized their new defence pact during a summit in Niamey. Known as the Alliance of Sahel States, the agreement aims to bolster cooperation amid internal uprisings and external threats.
While the move underscores a bid for regional autonomy, analysts caution that Mali and Niger, both landlocked and heavily reliant on regional cooperation, could face isolation if ECOWAS members decide to enforce sanctions uniformly.
Speaking from Abuja, Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris highlighted the strategic timing of the alliance’s announcement, suggesting it aims to assert autonomy from the regional bloc. Meanwhile, General Abdourahamane Tchiani of Niger criticized ECOWAS as a threat, emphasizing the alliance’s goal of establishing an independent framework.
Despite ECOWAS lifting sanctions on Niger earlier this year, tensions remain high following the 2023 coup that brought General Tchiani to power. Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, media assistant to the Nigerian president, acknowledged progress in defusing tensions but underscored ongoing challenges in reconciling ECOWAS and the Sahel alliance.
Against a backdrop of shifting alliances, the United States is poised to complete its withdrawal from Niger’s Air Base 101, established initially to combat insurgent groups aligned with al-Qaeda and ISIS.
This withdrawal coincides with broader shifts in regional dynamics, including France’s complete military exit from Mali and partial withdrawal from Niger and Burkina Faso.
However, security analysts warn that the region remains vulnerable to armed groups despite military efforts. Kabir Adamu, a security consultant, stressed the need for continued regional cooperation to mitigate threats posed by insurgent activities.
According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), violence escalated sharply in Burkina Faso in 2023, claiming thousands of lives, while Niger witnessed setbacks in its efforts against armed groups. In Mali, reports of human rights abuses linked to Russian mercenaries have raised international concern.
As the ECOWAS summit unfolds, the region faces critical security cooperation and diplomatic relations decisions amid a complex landscape of shifting alliances and persistent security challenges.
