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Mali, Burkina Faso & Niger Walk Out on ECOWAS
In a dramatic move, military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their “immediate withdrawal” from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday, accusing the regional bloc of becoming a “threat” to member states.
The joint statement, read on state television in all three countries, marks a significant escalation in tensions between the Sahel nations and ECOWAS, which has imposed sanctions and urged a swift return to civilian rule following their respective coups.
Citing “inhumane” sanctions and ECOWAS’s alleged failure to support their fight against jihadist insurgency, the military leaders declared their departure a “sovereign decision” and accused the bloc of “drifting away” from its founding principles.
This comes at a pivotal juncture for the region. All three nations, founding members of ECOWAS since 1975, have struggled to contain the jihadist violence spilling across the Sahel. Their withdrawal raises concerns about potential trade disruptions, hampered regional cooperation, and a further isolation of these landlocked nations.
ECOWAS, while expressing a commitment to finding a “negotiated solution,” maintained it hasn’t received formal notification of the withdrawal.
Meanwhile, analysts warn that the junta’s move could embolden Russia’s growing influence in the region, as France scales back its military presence. The Sahel’s instability also threatens neighboring Gulf of Guinea states, raising fears of the conflict spreading southward.
Burkina Faso Welcomes Russian Troops
Burkina Faso’s military leader, Ibrahim Traoré, has opened the door to deploying Russian troops in the fight against Islamist militants, raising concerns about deepening ties with Moscow and further complicating the volatile security situation in the Sahel region.
In a recent interview, Traoré confirmed negotiations with Russia, emphasizing their offer of logistical and tactical training along with the sale of necessary weapons. He highlighted the absence of restrictions on purchases from Russia, China, Turkey, and Iran, unlike with other partners.
This statement follows reports of at least 100 Russian “instructors” arriving in Burkina Faso last week, sparking speculation about a potential shift similar to neighboring Mali, which relies on the controversial Wagner Group mercenaries.
Burkina Faso’s relationship with Russia has been under scrutiny since its decision to end French military operations in early 2023. This move came amid frustrations over limited progress in containing the jihadist insurgency, which has caused widespread displacement and instability in the region.
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