Is ECOWAS Finally Facing Disintegration
....as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Withdraw from the regional body
It is no longer news that the military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This unprecedented disintegration of the 50-year-old bloc, established in 1975 to foster economic integration and political stability, poses significant questions about the future of regional cooperation and security in West Africa.
Background of the Withdrawal
The decision to leave ECOWAS was announced by the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, all currently under military rule following a series of coups from 2020 to 2023. The juntas cited ECOWAS's "inhumane" sanctions and perceived lack of support in the face of security threats lik...