Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso leave ECOWAS citing sanctions

The military regimes in power following coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have announced their departure from the Economic Community of West African States (‘ECOWAS’), citing sanctions imposed by the bloc on the three countries following military coups since 2021.

In an open letter dated 28 January, the countries’ respective leaders said that when they ‘decided to take their destiny into their own hands,’ ECOWAS ‘adopted an irrational and unacceptable posture by imposing illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions in violation of its own texts; all things which have further weakened populations already bruised by years.’

They charged that the 15-nation ‘ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its populations whose happiness it is supposed to ensure.’

In September 2023, the three nations signed a mutual defence pact to assist one another against armed rebellion or external aggression.

Mali’s military leader, Assimi Goita announced on his X social media account, ‘I have today signed with the Heads of State of Burkina Faso and Niger the Liptako-Gourma charter establishing the Alliance of Sahel States, with the aim of establishing a collective defence and mutual assistance framework.’