The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has rejected the timeline issued by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), describing it as a plot to destabilise their newly formed alliance.
At a summit held in Abuja, Nigeria, a week ago, the regional body announced a six-month period for the three countries to reconsider their decision, with their official departure scheduled for the end of January 2025.
However, the AES heads of state have asserted that this decision is “nothing more than yet another attempt by the French and its auxiliaries to continue planning and carrying out destabilising actions against the AES”.
Their communiqué further states that “this unilateral decision is not binding on the ESA countries,” reiterating that their decision to leave ECOWAS was “irreversible” prior to the summit.
According to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, the six-month period will serve as a “transition period” lasting until “July 29, 2025”, intended to “keep the doors of ECOWAS open”.
The three countries have accused the bloc of imposing “inhumane and irresponsible” sanctions in response to the coups and of failing to assist them in addressing their internal security crises.
Having largely rejected ECOWAS’ attempts to reverse their withdrawal, the trio of nations is now exploring how to issue travel documents independently of ECOWAS and are in the process of establishing their own alliance. Their departure, with the one-year notice period, is expected to be completed by January.
One key benefit of being an ECOWAS member is the visa-free movement between member states, and it remains unclear how this arrangement will be affected once the three countries leave the bloc.
