The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has rejected the six-month withdrawal timeline proposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The AES claims the timeline is part of a broader scheme to undermine their sovereignty and destabilize the newly-formed alliance.
At a summit held in Abuja, Nigeria, last week, ECOWAS proposed a transitional period lasting until July 29, 2025, allowing the three nations to reconsider their decision to leave the bloc after their official departure date at the end of January 2025.
In a strongly-worded communiqué, the AES heads of state dismissed the timeline as “an attempt by France and its allies to continue orchestrating destabilizing actions against the AES.” The alliance also reaffirmed that their decision to exit ECOWAS is “irreversible” and rejected any unilateral decisions by the bloc as non-binding.
Strained Relations and Diverging Paths
The three Sahelian nations, which have experienced coups in recent years, accuse ECOWAS of imposing “inhumane and irresponsible” sanctions while failing to support their internal security challenges. In response, the AES has started exploring independent measures, such as issuing their own travel documents, signaling a clear break from ECOWAS policies.
As ECOWAS offers its members benefits such as visa-free travel within the bloc, questions remain about how this privilege will be affected after Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger complete their exit. The AES appears resolute in forging its own path, with January 2025 marking the end of the one-year notice period required for their withdrawal.
This latest development highlights escalating tensions between the Sahel alliance and ECOWAS, further reshaping the regional political landscape.