Thousands of people took to the streets in Niger and Burkina Faso on Tuesday to celebrate their countries’ long-awaited withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Alongside Mali, the two nations had formally announced their exit in January 2024, citing frustrations with ECOWAS’s policies and its close ties to France. Now, as the one-year notice period comes to an end, their departure is set to take effect on Wednesday, marking a major geopolitical shift in West Africa.
With their exit from ECOWAS, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have joined forces under a new coalition—the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This bloc aims to strengthen regional cooperation while reducing reliance on Western influence, particularly that of France.
The three military-led governments have increasingly aligned themselves with Russia, Turkey, and Iran, signaling a shift in their foreign policy priorities. To further cement their independence, the AES bloc has announced two key initiatives:
- The launch of a common passport for citizens of the three nations
- The creation of a 5,000-strong joint military force to combat terrorism in the region
These moves underscore the trio’s determination to carve out a new path, free from ECOWAS regulations and historical ties to France.
In Niamey, Niger’s capital, thousands of demonstrators, including members of the military government, gathered in a symbolic show of support. Protesters chanted anti-French slogans and criticized regional leaders from Benin, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast, whom they accuse of siding with ECOWAS against their cause.
Ibro Amadou Bacharou, the private chief of staff for Niger’s junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, addressed the crowd with a firm declaration: “On January 28, 2024, we announced our exit from ECOWAS with immediate effect. Many thought it was a joke, that we would backtrack. Today, that chapter is closed—our departure is final.”
Meanwhile, in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, another massive rally took place, with Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo and government officials joining the demonstration. Protesters waved banners reading: “Long live AES, down with ECOWAS”; “Goodbye, hand-tied ECOWAS. Long live free AES“
In a powerful speech, Ouedraogo reinforced the country’s commitment to breaking away from foreign influence: “To cut the cord of imperialism… this will not be done by the tender hands of a midwife, but by an axe.”
The departure of these three nations has left ECOWAS at a crossroads, raising serious questions about its future. The organization, which has long played a key role in economic and political integration in West Africa, now faces the challenge of navigating a fractured regional landscape.