The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) risks "disintegration” if Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger break away from the bloc.
This was said on Sunday, July 7, by President of ECOWAS Commission Omar Alieu Touray, after leaders of the three countries announced a new bloc, called the Alliance of Sahel States, at a meeting in the Nigerien capital Niamey.
"Our region is facing the risk of disintegration," if the three leaders do not reverse their decision, Touray was quoted as saying on Sunday.
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At the Saturday meeting, Nigerien leader Gen Abdourahmane Tiani said the three countries would "irrevocably” move away from the 15-member West African bloc and form a new community of sovereign peoples "far from the control of foreign powers. A community of peace, solidarity, prosperity based on our African values.”
Tiani had hosted his Malian and Burkinabe counterparts Col Assimi Goïta and Capt Ibrahim Traore.
In a message posted on X, the Burkinabe leader said their meeting marked a "decisive step for the future of our common space.”
"Together, we will consolidate the foundations of our true independence,” he said.
ECOWAS has appointed Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to mediate the crisis.
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Besides security co-operation, the new alliance, known by its French acronym AES, will also look towards forming closer economic ties, including the aim of creating a common currency.
This would be a rejection of the France-backed CFA Franc, which is used in many states across the region.
The military leaders took power between 2020 and 2023, promising to restore security in their countries, which had been affected by jihadist insurgencies.
ECOWAS responded to their takeovers with sanctions, demanding a quick restoration of civilian rule. The bloc even threatened to use military force but did not pursue it.
Some of the sanctions have since been removed, and the bloc has been seeking the return of these countries.
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The military leaders have criticised Western powers, especially former colonial ruler France, for their role in the insecurity and their economic hand in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
They have all expelled French soldiers who were there as part of an anti-jihadist mission.
In January, they all announced a plan to leave Ecowas, which is holding its own summit on Sunday.
ECOWAS says the latest move by the military leaders could disrupt the freedom of movement of people across the region and undermine efforts to combat regional insecurity, especially in intelligence sharing.