Three West African nations under military leadership have declared an immediate departure from the regional bloc ECOWAS, asserting that the organization now poses a threat to its members.

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso jointly announced their decision to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), citing concerns about the organization deviating from its founding principles and being influenced by external powers. The trio accused ECOWAS of neglecting their fight against terrorism and insecurity while imposing sanctions deemed illegal, illegitimate, and harmful.

ECOWAS responded by stating that it had not received formal notification of the countries’ withdrawal, noting that the withdrawal process typically takes up to a year as per its protocol. Despite this development, ECOWAS emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue to address the political challenges.

As the primary political and regional authority in West Africa, ECOWAS, established in 1975 to foster economic integration among member states, has faced difficulties in curbing frequent coups and addressing grievances regarding resource distribution.

Recent military takeovers occurred in Mali (2020, 2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023), prompting ECOWAS to suspend these countries and impose sanctions, which led to strained relations. Efforts to mend ties, such as Niger’s invitation to ECOWAS representatives, have faced challenges, reflecting underlying distrust within the organization.

The military leaderships of the three nations have united to combat violent armed groups in the region through the “Alliance of Sahel States,” while also severing military ties with France, their former colonial ruler. France’s decision to withdraw its troops from the region, coupled with economic sanctions, raises concerns about the potential southward expansion of armed groups towards more stable coastal countries.

West Africa has witnessed a surge in attacks, with over 1,800 incidents recorded in the first half of 2023, resulting in nearly 4,600 deaths and exacerbating humanitarian crises. These figures underscore the severity of the insecurity crisis in the region, as stated by a senior ECOWAS official.