In spite of entreaties from West African diplomats and elder statesmen, the Alliance of Sahel military rulers are not backing down on their resolve to leave the fold of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Despite the laudable achievements it has recorded, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) continues to navigate the complexities of regional integration. The regional political and economic union of 15 countries of West Africa established on May 28, 1975, has brought peace to some of its members with states occasionally sending joint military forces to intervene in the group’s member states at times of political instability and unrest.

The bloc has also received recognition for its trailblazing role in regional conflict intervention, the free movement of goods and people and financial self-reliance based on its community levy as well as funding from development partners such as the United Nations (UN), African Unions, United States, European Union (EU) and the Scandinavian countries.

But, on the flip side, ECOWAS, considered one of the pillar regional blocs of the Continent-wide African Economic Community (AEC), with a goal to achieve “collective self-sufficiency” for its member states, has fallen short in addressing challenges to democracy and governance. This was after three of its member states–Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their immediate withdrawal from the bloc this year. The decision by the trio, termed as the alliance of military coup plotters, on January 28, this year, has raised concerns among stakeholders.

The current crisis began on July 26, 2023, when the Niger Republic military, in a coup led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, announced that they had overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum. After it failed to elicit a favourable response from the military leaders despite sending delegations, including interventions by elder statesmen and traditional rulers, the ECOWAS announced on August 10, 2023, its intention to deploy a regional force to “restore constitutional order”, while continuing to favour diplomatic negotiations.

The Niger military leaders, however, proposed a transition period of “three years” maximum before returning power to civilians. The country’s military leaders were supported by the coup plotters in Burkina Faso and Mali. They announced a plan to defend Niger if attacked by ECOWAS. They alleged that ECOWAS leaders were doing the bidding of France and other Western countries.

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