Taiwo Popoola
Reactions have trailed the exit of Niger and Burkina Faso in support of the withdrawal of their countries from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, which is due to take effect Wednesday.
Urban Express News Online gathered that their looming departure from the bloc, alongside Mali, has fractured the region and is leaving the ECOWAS grouping with an uncertain future.
Recall that the three junta-led countries formally notified ECOWAS of their plan for an immediate withdrawal in January 2024, citing the organization’s excessive dependence on France in particular.
Paris has become the common enemy of the three juntas, which now favour partnerships with countries such as Russia, Turkey and Iran.
However, ECOWAS required one year’s notice for the departure to be effective — that deadline falls on Wednesday.
Urban Express News Online reports that the three Sahelian countries have teamed up to form a separate confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States, AES.
In Niger, thousands of people led by members of the military regime gathered around a square in the capital Niamey, before heading towards the nearby National Assembly.
It was gathered that they chanted slogans hostile to French President, Emmanuel Macron, as well as other leaders in the region with whom Niger has strained relations, such as Benin, Nigeria or Ivory Coast.
“On January 28, 2024, we immediately announced our exit from ECOWAS. Many thought it was a joke, that we would go back on our decision.
“This is ending today, there is nothing left between ECOWAS and us,” Ibro Amadou Bacharou, private chief of staff of Niger’s junta leader General Abdourahamane Tiani said.
In Burkina Faso, many people, including Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo and other members of the government gathered in Ouagadougou’s Nation Square.
“Long live AES, down with ECOWAS”, a banner read. Another said: “Goodbye hand-tied ECOWAS, long live free AES”.
Some protesters also carried flags of the three Sahel countries or that of Russia.
“To cut the cord of imperialism… this will not be done by the tender hands of a midwife, but by an axe,” Ouedraogo said.
Rallies were also expected in Mali.
The AES trio are also set to release their own common passport on Wednesday and have announced the creation of a 5,000-strong unified army to fight jihadism.
