Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have taken official steps to leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and form a new alliance. The three countries signed the official agreement to establish the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Malian President Assimi Goita, Nigerian President Abdelrahmane Tchiani and Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traore met for the summit in Niamey.
During the summit, a joint declaration was signed establishing the Confederation of Sahel States, and Malian President Goita was elected as the rotating president of the AES.
Bidding Farewell to ECOWAS
The countries that the AES joined stated that returning to ECOWAS was no longer possible. Burkina Faso President Traore, in a statement on his social media account, emphasized that the AES has great potential for the well-being of the people of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. He stated that the Confederation of Sahel States will further strengthen their independence.
These three countries, with a total population of 72 million, are expected to cooperate within the framework of the AES, especially in the field of security.
An Important Step
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger established the AES in September 2023. These countries announced that they would leave ECOWAS in a joint declaration published on January 28. The establishment of the Sahel States Alliance is seen as the beginning of a new era in the region.
