Few days to go before their official withdrawal, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has finalized its exit strategy from ECOWAS. Foreign ministers from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger met in Ouagadougou recently to outline a unified approach to future negotiations, reaffirming their decision to leave the regional bloc in pursuit of sovereignty, peace, and economic independence.The departure, slated for January 29, marks a significant shift in West African geopolitics.
AES COUNTRIES OFFICIATE EXIT PLAN FROM ECOWAS AHEAD OF DEADLINE
Just days before their official withdrawal, foreign ministers from the Alliance of Sahel States Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have finalized their exit strategy from ECOWAS. Meeting in Ouagadougou, the ministers emphasized a united approach to future negotiations with the regional bloc.
Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean Marie Traore, framed the move as one for sovereignty, peace, and prosperity, praising strong public support for a ‘pan-African’ vision. His Malian counterpart, Abdoulaye Diop, said discussions with ECOWAS would focus on solutions for their populations and states.
He further pinpointed that they are open to discussions
Niger’s Foreign Minister, Bakary Yaou Sangare, on his part reaffirmed the AES’s openness to global partnerships beyond ECOWAS.
The three countries, led by military governments, announced their decision to leave in January 2024, citing ECOWAS’s alignment with foreign powers and a betrayal of its founding principles. The exit, set for January 29, marks a major shift in West African politics, as the Sahel nations forge a new path outside the regional bloc.
