Bamako, Mali (AP) – Regional Blocks of West Africa ecowa Faced with major challenges after three junta leadership The country officially left the groupforming their own alliances, weakening the bloc's status and political authority.
The withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the bloc – 12 countries are currently remaining – and a one-year meeting announced in January 2024 aimed at reversing their decision. It was the culmination of diplomatic efforts.
The departure is the first of its kind in the bloc's 50-year history, with analysts warning that weaker ECOWA could further undermine increasingly vulnerable areas.
What is Ecowas? What does it do?
The bloc of 15 countries, widely seen as the major political and regional authorities of West Africa, was formed in 1975 to “promote economic integration” between member states. The Bullock has also worked with members to solve domestic challenges, from politics to economics and security.
BLOC guarantees members' visa-free travel and access to markets of over $700 million for a population of around 400 million.
However, in parts of West Africa, analysts say ECOWAS is struggling with a crisis of legitimacy and citizens see it as representing only the interests of their leaders, not theirs.
Why did three military-led countries leave?
Ecowas' relationship with coup hitmari, Niger and Burkina Faso began to get worse after the block was imposed Severe sanctions against Niger They put pressure on the troops and reversed the coup.
The Bullock has long used sanctions to reverse the coup, but what has been imposed on Niger has been the toughest ever. Neighbors closed their borders with the country, cut off more than 70% of Niger's electricity supply, suspending financial transactions and freezing Niger's assets held by the bloc.
The three countries called sanctions “inhuman” and denounced Ekowas as “away from its founder and Pan-African ideals.”
What changed after the three countries left?
After leaving Ecowas, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso Sahel Allianceor AES, is named after the vast southern tip of the Sahara Desert region.
Three military ties with long-standing Western partners, including the US and France; Turned to Russia for military support.
Ecowas tried to ease tensions with the AES, reversed the sanctions imposed by the Bullock in February last year, and revamped the talks the AES rejected.
What's going to happen now?
Ecowas says that the doors will remain open to keep the three countries open to continue to enjoy benefits, as with other block members, but the three junta-led countries are the citizens' We have launched our own travel documents for this purpose.
The Bullock also said trade will continue as usual. Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are still members of the West African Economic and Monetary Union. In other words, trade and free movement of goods must continue among members of eight countries. The Currency Union includes three military-led countries, as well as Senegal, Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, Togo and Benin.
Babakar Ndiai, a political analyst at Wati Think Tank, focusing on West Africa, said a six-month extension of talks between ECOWAS and the three countries would expire in July. However, there is little hope for AES countries to “rethink their withdrawal,” Ndiaye said.
There are concerns that weakened ECOWA will not be able to handle security crisis Spreading from the conflict-covered Sahel To the coastal countries of West Africa.
Ekowas is also rarely in a position to reverse the military takeovers of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Renaissance Capital's chief economist Charlie Robertson also said there is likely to be less investment in the three countries.
