Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger exit ECOWAS, as regional bloc maintains trade, travel ties

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have officially severed ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), marking a historic rupture in regional cooperation.

However, ECOWAS has implemented temporary measures to ensure continued trade and free movement for citizens of the departing nations, preventing immediate disruptions to businesses and individuals.

Despite their withdrawal, ECOWAS has confirmed that passports and national ID cards bearing its logo will remain valid for travel within member states.

Additionally, goods and services from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger will continue to enjoy benefits under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), allowing them access to regional markets without tariffs or restrictions.

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In a statement on Wednesday, ECOWAS reaffirmed its commitment to regional solidarity, emphasizing that visa-free movement, residency rights, and investment policies for citizens of the three countries remain in place.

It also assured that officials from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger will continue to receive cooperation when carrying out ECOWAS-related duties.

The regional bloc said these interim arrangements would remain until the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government finalizes the terms of future engagement with the three countries.

Meanwhile, a special framework has been established to facilitate dialogue between ECOWAS and the departing nations, signaling a possible path for future collaboration.

Meanwhile, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formalized their departure, thousands of people took to the streets in celebration, particularly in Niamey and Ouagadougou.

The protests underscored growing discontent with ECOWAS, which many in the Sahel region perceive as serving the interests of France and Western powers.

In Niger’s capital, Niamey, demonstrators led by members of the ruling military government marched to the National Assembly, chanting anti-French slogans and criticizing ECOWAS leaders from Nigeria, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire.

Addressing the crowd, Ibro Amadou Bacharou, chief of staff to Niger’s junta leader General Abdourahamane Tiani, declared, “On January 28, 2024, we announced our exit from ECOWAS with immediate effect.

Many thought it was a joke, but today it is clear that we are leaving. There is nothing left between ECOWAS and us.”

A similar scene played out in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, where thousands gathered at Nation Square waving flags of the three Sahel countries and, in some cases, Russian flags—a sign of shifting geopolitical alliances.

Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo, addressing the protesters, declared, “To cut the cord of imperialism… this will not be done by the tender hands of a midwife but by an axe,” underscoring the determination of the new leadership to sever ties with Western influence.

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As they break away from ECOWAS, the three countries are advancing plans to strengthen their own regional bloc, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

The AES, which serves as a political and economic confederation, aims to boost intra-regional cooperation while reducing dependence on traditional partners like France.

Among the key initiatives under the AES framework is the launch of a common passport for citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

Additionally, the alliance has announced plans to form a joint military force of 5,000 troops to combat jihadist insurgencies, signaling a strategic shift in regional security efforts.

According to public affairs analysts, While the withdrawal of the three nations marks a significant transformation in West Africa’s geopolitical landscape, the temporary measures by ECOWAS suggest that economic and social ties may not be completely severed.

They argue that the coming months will determine whether a permanent break occurs or if a new form of cooperation emerges between the Sahel states and ECOWAS.