A prominent figure within West Africa's regional alliance warns against potential division following recent union formations by three military governments over the weekend. Concurrent meetings held this past Saturday in Niger's capital, Niamey, and Sunday in Abuja highlighted growing rifts among neighboring nations in an already unstable area.
Recent announcements from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger detail their plans to depart from the regional group Ecowas earlier this year amidst tensions surrounding the coalition's stance on military interventions. Omar Alieu Touray, head of Ecowas commission, voiced concerns about possible political alienation, funding losses, and restrictions on movement – referring to freedoms granted since its inception in 1975. He cautioned that the region risks fragmentation while addressing the audience in Nigeria's capital.
Ecowas originally functioned as an economic entity but has evolved into a political one, with previous involvement in military interventions during civil conflicts and transitions. The organization is working on establishing a regional force comprised of 1,500 to 5,00s soldiers – estimated to cost $2.6 billion annually.
The emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comes amidst recent coups and rising anti-Western sentiment in these French colonial territories. Accusations are directed towards Ecowas for perceived European alignment, particularly due to its support for ousted governments viewed as pro-European powers.
Niger's leader, Abdourahamane Tiani, urged the creation of a community detached from external influence during AES meetings. The country has distanced itself from Ecowas and denounced efforts for reintegration.
In response to these developments, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was chosen as an envoy by Ecowas at the summit to foster reconciliation with AES members. Meanwhile, Niger's military junta has terminated treaties with Western countries following their critique of last year's coup that ousted democratically elected Mohamed Bazoum.
The US recently announced the completion of its withdrawal from Niger.
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