Military Regimes of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger Announce Formation of New Confederation After ECOWAS Exit

The military regimes of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have confirmed their plans to establish a new confederation, as reported by Reuters. The decision follows their recent announcement to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Despite warnings from ECOWAS urging a reconsideration of their withdrawal, the three neighboring countries in the Sahel region, grappling with economic challenges, have solidified their commitment to fostering closer ties through the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

During a meeting in the Burkinabe capital Ouagadougou, ministers from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger affirmed their joint commitment to swiftly withdraw from ECOWAS and continue cooperation under the AES. The Malian foreign ministry, in an online post, stated that they “reaffirmed their commitment to advancing resolutely in the process of implementing the AES and creating the Tri-State Confederation.”

While details on the proposed confederation’s functioning remain undisclosed, the nations face the pressing challenge of aligning political, economic, and security interests. This comes as they grapple with a decade-long battle against Islamist insurgents, destabilizing the subregion.

In November of the previous year, finance ministers from these countries expressed consideration for a monetary union, with varying degrees of support for abandoning West Africa’s CFA franc common currency. Additionally, all three juntas have severed longstanding military ties with former colonial ruler France, significantly impacting France’s influence in the Sahel and complicating international efforts to combat militants affiliated with al Qaeda and the Islamic State.