Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso Officially Exit ECOWAS After Diplomatic Tensions

The three Sahel nations, now led by military juntas, have formed a new alliance, marking a historic split from West Africa's leading regional bloc.

The withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS has taken legal effect, completing a yearlong process following their military coups.
The nations have accused ECOWAS of being influenced by France and failing to address key regional security and economic concerns.
The three countries have established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes plans for a joint military force and a shared passport system.
ECOWAS has stated it will maintain open channels for future cooperation and retain certain privileges for citizens of the exiting nations, such as free movement.
The departure reduces ECOWAS’s population by 16% and its geographical area by more than half, posing significant challenges for the bloc’s future stability and influence.