Sahel States Exit ECOWAS; Launch Regional Passport, Joint Military

Last week, the Foreign Ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger convened in the Burkinabé capital, Ouagadougou, to finalize the conditions for their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The meeting, which followed extensive deliberations by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comes just days after the three nations formally announced their decision to leave ECOWAS.

Sahelian people celebrate ECOWAS departure

Just a year ago, on January 28, 2024, the military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger publicly declared their intent to withdraw from the regional economic bloc. This announcement was a historic point in the Sahel’s political shift, as the three countries continue to push for sovereignty, regional security, and economic autonomy. The withdrawal took effect on January 29, 2025, as confirmed by ECOWAS.

On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, the streets of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, came alive with celebration as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) marked the first anniversary of their historic decision to leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The event brought together leaders and citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in a show of unity and pride, and affirmation of their commitment to sovereignty and regional collaboration. Celebrations and mobilizations were also held in Niamey, Niger and other cities across the Sahelian states.

Mobilization in Niamey, Niger in support of the AES withdrawal from ECOWAS. Photo: Echos du Niger

In a conference acknowledging the departure, the President of ECOWAS remarked: “The authority acknowledges that, in accordance with provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from January 29, 2025. The authority directs the president of the commission to launch withdrawal formalities after the deadline and to draw up a contingency plan covering various areas.”

The rise of the Sahel alliance

The decision to withdraw from ECOWAS is part of the broader geopolitical shift in the Sahel, where popular military-led governments in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have challenged the longstanding dominance of French and Western-backed institutions in the region. Over the past few years, these governments, supported by popular uprisings, have expelled French military forces and sought to free their economies from French influence.

With the growing isolation from their ECOWAS neighbors—who imposed sanctions that deepened economic hardships and threatened to invade Niger—the three countries formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023. The AES has not only strengthened economic cooperation among its members but has also positioned itself as a unified front against external threats.

Initiatives for regional integration and military collaboration

The alliance’s charter, signed on September 16, 2023, commits the three nations to: 

• Prevent, manage, and resolve any armed rebellion or threat to territorial integrity and sovereignty
• Prioritize peaceful and diplomatic channels while reserving the right to use force if necessary

As part of its push for greater sovereignty, the AES has announced the introduction of a Sahel-wide passport system which will begin on January 29, 2025, the day their withdrawal from ECOWAS becomes effective. AES passports will be issued to citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, simplifying travel between the three nations for their citizens. The common passport is part of the bloc’s commitment to regional integration and a step towards establishing an independent identity for the Sahel states.

The AES has also prioritized regional security, and will be creating a 5,000-strong joint military force to combat jihadist insurgencies that have plagued the region for years. Yet another initiative by the bloc’s vision on self-reliance in addressing shared challenges. Their cooperation strips ECOWAS of its perceived monopoly on regional defense and cooperation. 

President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traoré, has emphasized that the fight against terrorism in the region is not merely a security challenge but also a “war of decolonization” in the region. Niamey is set to host the International Conference against Terrorism on January 30, dedicated to discussing regional solutions to their joint fight against imperialist-backed terrorist groups.

A new era for the Sahel

As many analysts have pointed out, the Sahel’s withdrawal from ECOWAS is emblematic of a broader rejection of French imperialism and Western neoliberal frameworks that have long dictated the region’s economic and political trajectory. By forming the AES, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger took decisive steps to chart their own course.

The departure of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS is set to have significant implications for West Africa’s political and economic bloc. While the three nations face challenges—including sanctions and ongoing security threats—their collaboration within the AES seeks to build a path for regional integration rooted in sovereignty and common interests. The alliance will continue to stand on resistance and the aspiration for self-determination in the region.