In the past two years, we have watched French influence crumble and crumble amid the changing geopolitical landscape in Africa's Sahel region – the sub-Saharan savannas and northern tropical jungles.
The military juntas that came to power in Mali, Guyana and Burkina Faso have resisted widespread international pressure and tough economic sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), going so far as to threaten military action.
Therefore, the new decision taken by the three African allies to withdraw from the organization cannot be considered a surprise under any circumstances.
Reuters reported:
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, three military-led West African countries, announced on Sunday that they would immediately leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional economic bloc that has been urging them to return to democratic rule.
The decision of the three, which was announced in a simultaneous joint statement broadcast on their national television channels, constitutes a blow to the regional integration efforts made by the bloc after it stopped the following three coups.
Read: Powder Keg Africa: Burkina Faso’s military junta thwarts another coup – residents take to the streets in support of Captain Traoré
The departure of the three countries will certainly weaken the Economic Community of West African States, which appears to have been caught by surprise, as the official spokesman said only that “it has not yet received any official notification regarding the withdrawal” and declined further comment.
ECPWAS did not recognize military-led governments.
“Since the coups – and despite sanctions, negotiations and threats of military intervention – military leaders have failed to provide a clear timetable for a return to constitutional rule.
Instead, they hardened their tone against the bloc, accusing it of being influenced by external forces. The three also severed military and other ties with France, the former coloniser, and turned to Russia for security support.
Read: Powder Keg Africa: The military junta in Niger prevented ousted President Bazoum from escaping arrest – lawyers denounce that he is now being held in a secret location
Military leaders say they need to crush the insurgency linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic State before restoring democratic order.
“After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger note, with regret and great disappointment, that ECOWAS has deviated from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism,” Colonel Amadou Abderrahmane. A spokesman for Niger's military junta said in the statement. Abdul Rahman added: “The organization has noticeably failed to help these countries in their existential war against terrorism and insecurity.”
Read: “Au Revoir”: The last French forces leave Niger, signaling the end of Paris’ influence in the Sahel region of Africa
ABC News reported:
Widely viewed as the highest political and regional authority in West Africa, the 15-nation ECOWAS bloc – which was formed in 1975 to “promote economic integration” in member states – has struggled in recent years to reverse the region's rampant coups as citizens complain about it. . Not taking advantage of rich natural resources.
[…] Sunday's announcement is the latest development in a series of events that have deepened political tension in West Africa since it saw the latest in a series of coups – in Niger – last year. This also comes at a time when the three countries formed a security alliance after cutting military relations with France and other European countries and turning to Russia for support.
These countries accuse the Economic Community of West African States of failing to help these three countries in combating terrorism.
The statement noted, “When these countries decided to take their fate into their own hands, the (ECOWAS) adopted an irrational and unacceptable position in imposing illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions in violation of its own provisions.”
This new development constitutes further evidence of the diminishing influence of the two traditional superpowers in West Africa: France and Nigeria.
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