(Adnkronos) – Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger officially out of Ecowas. They leave the regional bloc after 50 years, after more than a year of strong diplomatic tensions. The farewell to the Economic Community of West African States is a reality, after several failed attempts at mediation following the withdrawal decided a year ago by the three countries. The break comes after the military coup in Mali in 2021 (following the one the previous year), the one in Burkina Faso in 2022 and the one in Niger in 2023, when Ecowas threatened to intervene militarily to return the ousted president to power.
With the decision of the three countries, about 73 million people are leaving the bloc, which brought together 15 countries – now 12 – with the aim of promoting economic cooperation between member states and improving living conditions. Ecowas makes it known that it “keeps the doors open to dialogue”. It communicates that “until further notice, passports and identity cards bearing the Ecowas logo” held by citizens of the three countries will be recognized and that “goods and services from the three countries will continue to be accorded the treatment provided for by the Ecowas Trade Liberalization Scheme and Investment Policy”.
Ouagadougou, Bamako and Niamey – now reunited under the Alliance of Sahel States (Aes) – accuse Ecowas of being under the influence of French interests. Yesterday there were reports of demonstrations in Burkina Faso and Niger organized to celebrate the farewell to Ecowas. “Down with Ecowas, long live the Aes”, was the slogan in Agadez. And the same thing was happening in Ouagadougou.
Meanwhile, amidst the tensions, the three countries – among the least developed in the world despite the abundance of natural resources – have increasingly turned their gaze to Russia. All three are contending with the threat posed by jihadist groups.
