On the eve of their official withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), thousands of citizens in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali gathered to celebrate their nations’ exit from the regional bloc. The departure, effective January 29, 2025, follows a year-long notice period initiated by the three countries, all currently under military rule.
In Niger’s capital, Niamey, demonstrators, led by members of the military regime, assembled near the National Assembly, chanting slogans critical of French President Emmanuel Macron and leaders of neighboring countries with strained relations with Niger. Ibro Amadou Bacharou, private chief of staff to Niger’s junta leader General Abdourahamane Tiani, addressed the crowd, affirming the nation’s definitive break from ECOWAS.
In Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s Nation Square was the site of a large rally attended by Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo and other government officials. Protesters displayed banners reading “Long live AES, down with ECOWAS” and carried flags of the Sahel nations and Russia. Prime Minister Ouedraogo emphasized the need to sever ties with imperialism, stating that such a break requires decisive action.
Malians convened at Kurukanfuga, a historic site near the capital, Bamako, where the 13th-century Mandingo Empire’s constitution was proclaimed. Organizers criticized ECOWAS for abandoning its foundational ideals and hindering member states’ development. The three nations have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and plan to introduce a common passport and establish a unified 5,000-member army to combat jihadist insurgencies.
The withdrawal of these founding members marks a significant shift in West African geopolitics, as the countries pivot towards partnerships with nations such as Russia, Turkey, and Iran, moving away from traditional alliances with France and ECOWAS.
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