Overview
- Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have decided to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a move expected to boost Mali's economy by 21 billion CFA francs.
- The decision has raised concerns about potential economic isolation, increased trade-related costs, and impacts on regional stability and security cooperation.
- The withdrawal is seen as a response to heavy sanctions imposed by ECOWAS on the three countries following military coups.
- The three countries have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to fight jihadist groups, which could evolve into an economic and diplomatic alliance.
- There are discussions about the countries leaving the common currency of West Africa, Franc CFA, considered by many as a negative legacy of colonialism.