West African leaders gathered in Abuja, Nigeria, on Sunday for an ECOWAS summit, as three military-led nations—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—reinforced their decision to leave the regional bloc. Ahead of the summit, the Sahel countries issued a joint statement reaffirming their exit, criticizing ECOWAS for being overly aligned with France and expressing a desire to forge new relationships free from external influence. This decision follows their withdrawal from France’s military cooperation and growing ties with Russia.
The planned departure of the three countries, set for January 2024, carries significant implications for regional trade, mobility, and security, particularly as the Sahel region grapples with a rising insurgency. With ECOWAS traditionally playing a key role in peacekeeping and military coordination, their exit raises concerns about the stability and security of the region.
In response to the situation, ECOWAS has sought to prevent further fragmentation, with Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, appointed in July as mediator, expressing optimism about his ongoing discussions with the breakaway states. Faye emphasized the importance of cooperation in addressing regional security challenges, a sentiment echoed by Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe, who has also been involved in mediation efforts.
At the summit’s opening, ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the planned exit but praised the progress made in diplomatic talks. He stressed the need for continued dialogue to maintain regional unity amidst growing challenges.
The planned departure follows a year of strained relations, marked by a series of military coups across the region. The coup in Niger in July 2023 prompted ECOWAS to impose sanctions and threaten military intervention, though the bloc’s stance has since softened. Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Guinea—another ECOWAS member under military rule since 2021—continue to navigate increasing tensions with the regional body.
In addition to their planned exit from ECOWAS, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and reducing reliance on ECOWAS and former colonial powers. While these countries did not attend the summit, they held a separate ministerial meeting in Niamey, where they reiterated their irreversible decision to leave ECOWAS and committed to pursuing a path that serves their peoples’ interests.
Meanwhile, Guinea, also governed by the military since 2021, faces pressure from ECOWAS to hold elections by the end of 2024. However, Guinea’s military rulers recently acknowledged they would not meet this deadline, further straining relations with the bloc.
Amidst the growing instability in the Sahel, ECOWAS remains divided over how to engage with the military-led governments. Some member states advocate for dialogue, while others call for a stronger response, underscoring the challenge of balancing regional unity with the reality of military rule.
In an effort to revive talks, ECOWAS lifted some sanctions on Niger, particularly regarding the detention of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. Nigeria and Niger have also sought to enhance security cooperation, particularly in joint military efforts along their shared border to address the escalating insurgency.
Following the summit in Abuja, ECOWAS extended a grace period for Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, from January 29 to July 29, 2025, allowing them additional time to reconsider their exit. ECOWAS reiterated that it would keep its doors open to these countries during this transitional period, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing tensions and the future of the bloc.