Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Why Mali, Burkina Faso And Niger Exit Ecowas

POSTED ON January 29, 2024 •   Uncategorized      BY Samuel O . Adeniyi

On January 28, 2024, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso sent shockwaves through West Africa by announcing their withdrawal from ECOWAS.

This decision, a culmination of simmering tensions and divergent viewpoints, has thrown the future of regional cooperation into uncertainty.

Unravelling this decision involves exploring ECOWAS's history, the grievances of withdrawing nations, and potential consequences in the intricate geopolitical landscape.

ECOWAS: A Dream of Unity, Tested by Reality

Established in 1975, ECOWAS aimed to create a unified economic bloc promoting integration, free trade, and peace across West Africa.

Initially, it enjoyed successes, fostering collaborative development projects and facilitating regional trade.

However, cracks began appearing in recent years, revealing underlying fault lines of political divergence, security challenges, and unequal economic benefits.

Why Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic Exit ECOWAS

The recent political and security upheavals in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso significantly influence the decision to withdraw.

All three countries experienced military coups in the past few years, raising concerns about democratic backsliding within the region.

ECOWAS responded by imposing sanctions and pressuring them to return to civilian rule.

Withdrawing nations claim an unwarranted intrusion, deepening resentment, and questioning the organization's commitment to non-interference in internal affairs.

Further fueling frustration was the perceived ineffectiveness of the G5 Sahel, a joint counter-terrorism force of which all three countries are founding members.

The G5 Sahel, supported by ECOWAS and international partners, has struggled to contain the escalating threat of violent extremist groups.

Accusing the force of favouring external actors, Mali and Burkina Faso sought alternative security partnerships with Russia, causing sanctions from ECOWAS.

Beyond Politics: Unraveling the Socioeconomic Threads

Political and security concerns take precedence, but one cannot separate the decision to withdraw from the region's persistent socioeconomic challenges.

Poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity plague all three countries, leading to widespread disgruntlement with the perceived failure of ECOWAS to address these issues effectively.

Critics argue that the organization's emphasis on regional integration hasn't benefited ordinary citizens, eroding confidence and fostering a desire for alternatives.

Internal Dynamics and the Power Play

The decision to withdraw also bears the stamp of domestic political realities in each country.

Leaders, under internal pressures, may see this move as a means to consolidate power, presenting themselves as nationalistic defenders against external interference.

This narrative resonates with sections of the population, potentially providing additional impetus for the break with ECOWAS.

An Uncertain Future: Challenges and Potential Pathways

The withdrawal throws the future of ECOWAS and regional cooperation into disarray.

Disruptions in economic ties may hinder trade and impede development efforts.

Security concerns could escalate, with the potential for instability spilling over into neighbouring countries. However, amidst the uncertainty, there are also glimmers of hope.

Dialogue and reconciliation efforts are ongoing, with all parties acknowledging the importance of maintaining some level of engagement.

There are possibilities for a mutually beneficial renegotiation of terms within ECOWAS, addressing the concerns of the withdrawing nations while upholding the organization's core principles.

Alternatively, new regional cooperation frameworks may emerge, tailored to the specific needs of different sub-regions within West Africa.

Mail, Niger, Burkina Faso's Exit: What ECOWAS Must Know

Understanding the withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS demands a nuanced perspective, moving beyond simplistic narratives of defiance and separatism.

It is a story woven from threads of political discontent, security anxieties, socioeconomic grievances, and internal power dynamics.

Recognizing the complexities of this situation is crucial for navigating the path forward, both for the withdrawing nations and for the remaining members of ECOWAS.

Ultimately, the success of any future regional arrangement hinges on a renewed commitment to dialogue, inclusivity, and a genuine effort to address the concerns of all stakeholders.

READ ALSO
Eno enhances healthcare with N200m contribution to UUTH
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 16, 2025 0

In an effort to enhance healthcare services, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has co...

READ ALSO
Ododo Reorganizes the Tourism Board, Kogi Hotels
BY Ebiakuboere England December 3, 2024 0

KOGI- Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Ododo has appointed former Kogi Hotels and Tourism Board Chai...

READ ALSO
Rivers Varsity Suspends Four Students For Assault
BY Benedicta Bassey June 16, 2024 0

The Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt has suspended four of its students con...

READ ALSO
French Embassy Unveils Waste Management Project Worth €753,000 in Varsities
BY Benedicta Bassey June 14, 2024 0

The French Embassy, via the Cooperation and Cultural Department, has launched a plastic waste manage...

READ ALSO
ATBU Enhances Research Capacity For Lecturers
BY Benedicta Bassey June 14, 2024 0

The management of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, has enhanced research capabilities...

READ ALSO
Russia Dismisses Claim of Recruiting Nigerian Students For Ukranian War
BY Benedicta Bassey June 13, 2024 0

The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has debunked the claims of recruiting African students, particularly...

READ ALSO
Soludo Warns Tinubu Against Accepting Unsustainable Minimum Wage
BY Benedicta Bassey June 13, 2024 0

Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo on Thursday warned President Bola Tinubu against approving &ld...

READ ALSO
Obi Cubana Lauds Burna Boy For Settling Patients' Hospital Bills
BY Ebiakuboere England June 12, 2024 0

Award-winning Nigerian music star Damini Ogulu, also known as Burna Boy, has been praised by million...

OUR CHANNELS:

NEMA Mobilizes Teams to 15 States Amid Flood Warnings
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sent officials to 15 high-risk states to educate...


Edo Faces Diphtheria Outbreak, Two Confirmed Deaths
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

EDO, Nigeria (NAN) - A diphtheria outbreak has been confirmed in Edo State, resulting in two deaths....


Tinubu Honors Bill Gates with National Award for Global Philanthropy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu commended Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and chairma...


Bahrain, Colombia, DRC, Latvia, and Liberia Join UN Security Council for 2026-2027 Term
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

The UN General Assembly on Tuesday elected five new non-permanent members to the UN Security Council...


Tinubu Orders Urgent Repairs on Flood-Damaged Bridge in Mokwa
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

NIGER, Nigeria (NAN)- President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Works to repair t...


Nigeria Needs ₦2.2 Trillion to Eliminate Cervical Cancer by 2030, Says Task Force Chair
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria will need ₦2.2 trillion to roll out comprehensive cervical cancer ini...


EFCC Charges Two Men for Posing as Fake Sureties in Illegal Mining Case
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged two individuals, Shehu Abdu and Isah...


Court Sentence Scrap Seller to 12 Years for Sexual Assault of Four-Year-Old Girl
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

A scrap seller, Nasiru Usman, was sentenced to 12 years in prison by an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Do...


70-Year-Old Faces Manslaughter Charges After Fatal Accident
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - A 70-year-old man, Isiaka Afolayan, has been detained for careless driving and the...


Police Arrest 49 years old Suspect for Abduction of Two-Month-Old Baby
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

DELTA, Nigeria - The police in Delta reported the arrest of a suspect named Joy Temitope for the abd...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu