ECOWAS Exit: Celebration Erupts In Niger, Burkina Faso

Thousands of people gathered in Niger and Burkina Faso on Tuesday to celebrate their countries’ official exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The exit which also includes Mali, takes effect on January 29, 2025, and has left ECOWAS facing a more divided future.

In Niamey, the capital of Niger, demonstrators, led by members of the military junta, gathered in a central square before marching to the National Assembly. The protesters chanted anti-ECOWAS slogans and expressed their anger toward French President Emmanuel Macron and leaders from neighboring countries like Benin, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast, with whom Niger’s relations have soured.

Ibro Amadou Bacharou, Chief of Staff to Niger’s junta leader General Abdourahamane Tiani, declared, “On January 28, 2024, we announced our exit from ECOWAS with immediate effect. Many thought it was a joke, but today, this ends. There is nothing left between ECOWAS and us.”

In Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, a large crowd gathered at Nation Square, joined by Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo and other government officials. The protesters waved flags of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Russia, with banners reading, “Long live AES, down with ECOWAS!” and “Goodbye hand-tied ECOWAS, long live free AES!”

Ouedraogo spoke to the crowd, comparing the exit from ECOWAS to a fight against imperialism. “To cut the cord of imperialism… this will not be done by the tender hands of a midwife, but by an axe,” he declared.

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, the three Sahelian nations, have formed a new alliance called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). These countries have shown a preference for forming ties with Russia, Turkey, and Iran, rather than sticking with traditional Western allies like France.

The countries are also working on becoming more independent. They have announced plans for a shared passport and the creation of a unified military force, with 5,000 troops, to combat jihadist insurgencies in the region.

The three countries had initially announced their decision to exit from ECOWAS in January 2024, citing frustrations with the bloc’s ties to France and its failure to help them effectively tackle insurgencies. However, ECOWAS regulations required a one-year notice for the withdrawal, which officially expires today. Despite efforts by ECOWAS to negotiate, the countries have stuck to their decision.
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