In a bold move that threatens broader West African integration, military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced their intention to establish a confederation, following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The Malian foreign ministry confirmed this decision on Thursday, as the three countries deepen ties via the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)
The leaders of the three Sahel nations, who have all severed long-standing military ties with former colonial ruler France, announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS on January 28, stating it was a “sovereign decision” to leave the bloc without delay.
At a meeting in the Burkinabe capital Ouagadougou, their three ministers confirmed a joint commitment to withdraw from ECOWAS without delay and continue cooperation under the AES.
The group has not shared details on how the proposed confederation would work or on how closely they plan to align political, economic, and security interests as they struggle to contain a decade-old battle with Islamist insurgents that has destabilized the subregion.
Last November, their finance ministers said they would weigh the option of setting up a monetary union and top officials from all three countries have, to varying degrees, voiced support for abandoning West Africa’s CFA franc common currency.
The juntas’ decision to form a confederation and withdraw from ECOWAS has been met with criticism from the regional bloc, which has urged them to rethink their decision, warning of the additional hardships this withdrawal would bring.
The three states last month announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS on grounds of what they said were illegal and inhumane sanctions
