Ouagadougou, Bamako, Niamey – In a significant geopolitical shift, the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have jointly announced their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), accusing the regional bloc of abandoning its founding principles and failing to support their nations in the fight against terrorism.

In a joint statement released on Sunday, January 28, the leaders of the three Sahel countries declared that ECOWAS “has moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and Pan-Africanism.” The announcement marks a major rupture in West Africa’s regional integration efforts, just months after increasing tensions between the bloc and its member states under military rule.

Colonel Amadou Abdramane, spokesperson for the Nigerien junta, criticized ECOWAS for its inaction amid growing insecurity in the region:
“The organisation notably failed to assist these states in their existential fight against terrorism and insecurity.”

Following a series of military coups in all three countries, ECOWAS had imposed sanctions, suspended memberships, and threatened military intervention in efforts to restore democratic rule. However, the juntas have consistently resisted pressure to set a timeline for elections and a return to civilian governance.

Instead, the military regimes have doubled down on their stance, severing ties with France, their former colonial ruler, and forging new security alliances with Russia. They argue that national security must be restored before elections can be held, citing persistent threats from Islamic State and al-Qaeda-linked insurgent groups.

The withdrawal raises serious questions about the future of ECOWAS, a 15-member bloc known for promoting regional integration, peacekeeping, and the free movement of people and goods. Under the bloc’s treaty, member states are required to give one year’s written notice before formally exiting, and remain bound by ECOWAS regulations during that period. It remains unclear whether Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have followed the proper withdrawal procedures.

The ECOWAS leadership has not yet issued an official response to the joint announcement.

Observers warn that the exit of the three Sahelian nations could weaken the regional bloc’s cohesion, undermine counterterrorism cooperation, and disrupt economic activity, particularly cross-border trade.

As the region faces rising insecurity, political instability, and shifting alliances, the implications of this unprecedented move are likely to reverberate across West Africa and beyond.