ECOWAS Summit Tackles Military-led Governments and Regional Security

West African leaders under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gathered in Abuja, Nigeria, on Sunday for a critical summit. The agenda focused on regional security and the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which recently declared their intent to leave the bloc.

Key Developments

1. Military-led Governments Withdraw from ECOWAS
   • Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger reaffirmed their “irreversible” decision to exit ECOWAS, citing the bloc’s alignment with France, their former colonial power, as a primary grievance.
   • The departure, effective January 2025, could disrupt regional free trade, movement, and security coordination amidst rising jihadist threats in the Sahel.
   • The three nations formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to strengthen ties, including military cooperation, and pivoted toward Russia for support.
2. Mediation Efforts and Security Concerns
   • Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, appointed as a mediator by ECOWAS, reported progress in negotiations with the breakaway states, emphasizing the importance of continued relations due to shared security concerns.
   • Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe has also been engaged in mediating with the Sahel countries.
3. Sanctions and Military Tensions
   • Relations between ECOWAS and the military-led states worsened after the bloc threatened military intervention following a July 2023 coup in Niger.
   • ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger but eased some restrictions earlier this year to encourage dialogue, particularly regarding detained former President Mohamed Bazoum.
4. Guinea’s Situation
   • Guinea, another ECOWAS member with a military-led government, faces scrutiny for failing to meet its commitment to hold elections by the end of 2024, as agreed under ECOWAS pressure.

Implications

• The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger weakens ECOWAS’ cohesion, undermining its ability to effectively coordinate against terrorism and other regional threats.
• The rise of the AES signals a shift in regional alliances, particularly as these nations seek alternatives to traditional Western partnerships.
• The strained dynamics highlight the challenges of balancing sovereignty, regional stability, and international partnerships in West Africa.

The summit reflects ECOWAS’ effort to maintain unity while addressing the growing political and security challenges posed by military-led regimes in the region.