Dhe military governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have unexpectedly announced their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This means that the tone between the three governments that came to power through coups and the community of states that has existed for almost fifty years and has been pushing for a return to democracy in the coup-plagued Sahel region is becoming more tense.

In a joint statement published on Sunday evening, the three states accused the ECOWAS economic community of having imposed “inhumane and illegal” sanctions. Furthermore, they received no support from the organization in their fight against Islamist terrorists. Under the “influence of foreign powers,” the international community betrayed principles when it was founded and became a “threat to its member states.” The three leaders now responded “with complete sovereignty” and based on the “concerns and hopes of their populations.”

An immediate exit is not possible

However, immediate termination of membership is not possible under the ECOWAS protocol. As ECOWAS later announced, no formal application has yet been received. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger therefore remained “important members”. We continue to work for a negotiated solution in order to find a way out of this “political impasse”.

In fact, ECOWAS, an association of 15 states, has been divided since the series of coups. ECOWAS suspended the membership of the three states after the coups and imposed sanctions on Mali and Niger. Immediately after the coup in Niger, Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, as ECOWAS chairman, even threatened a military strike. Negotiations are currently underway with the Nigerien military government about a transition to democratic elections.

In Mali and Burkina Faso, the military seized power in 2020 and 2022 in a heatedly hostile mood towards France. The coup in Niger followed in July last year. The new leaders broke off military relations with France and turned to Russia. A closer alliance was already announced last year when the three states concluded a defense pact and announced the establishment of an alliance of the Sahel states.

Observers see Sunday's announcement as a more symbolic act to emphasize its own sovereignty and the move away from the association of states that maintains close relations with the West. The exit itself is likely to be much more difficult. To date, there has been largely free movement of goods and visa-free travel within ECOWAS. As landlocked countries, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger also rely on access to the sea. It would be even more complex if the three states decided to leave the West African monetary union.