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Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger Form New Confederation, After Leaving ECOWAS
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger form the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) after leaving ECOWAS, aiming for greater regional integration and strengthened ties with Russia.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the military rulers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have established a new regional bloc, the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The leaders signed a treaty on Saturday during their inaugural summit in Niamey, marking a significant step towards greater integration among the three nations.
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The formation of AES comes after these three countries, each governed by military regimes that came to power through recent coups, announced their departure from ECOWAS in January.
They criticized ECOWAS for being influenced by France, their former colonial power, and have since severed military and defense ties with France, opting instead to strengthen relations with Russia.
The summit concluded with the adoption of a treaty that officially established the AES, representing a combined population of approximately 72 million people. General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of Niger’s military government, declared this move a definitive shift away from ECOWAS, highlighting the sovereignty and regional solidarity of the Sahel states.
Burkina Faso Mali Niger
In response to ongoing jihadist threats within their territories, the AES countries established a joint military force in March to bolster their defense capabilities. The summit also focused on strategic cooperation in key sectors such as agriculture, water, energy, and transport, with plans for closer integration among the member states.
Another significant topic discussed at the summit was the promotion of indigenous languages in local media, reflecting a broader aim to foster cultural and social cohesion within the AES.
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The creation of AES has strained relations with ECOWAS, particularly following the imposition of sanctions and military intervention threats by ECOWAS after the coup in Niger in July 2023.
Although sanctions were lifted in February, the atmosphere remains tense. ECOWAS is scheduled to discuss the implications of AES and future relations at a leaders’ summit in Abuja on Sunday.
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