Who Takes the Blame for Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso’s Exit from ECOWAS?

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The military-led governments of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso officially left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) last month. That marked the culmination of a year-long process that saw diplomatic efforts to prevent a breakaway ultimately fail. This has been a journey that started in 2023, and despite now being official, ECOWAS says its doors remain open to the three countries and urged member states to continue extending membership privileges, including free movement under its passport system. So, who is responsible for this failure?

ECOWAS' Diplomatic Failure

ECOWAS’ inability to retain these countries highlights its struggle to manage political crises. The bloc responded to military takeovers in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso with economic sanctions and political isolation, hoping to force a return to civilian rule. However, instead of bringing them back into the fold, these measures deepened the divide. The juntas saw ECOWAS as an external force acting against their sovereignty rather than a neutral mediator. This approach weakened trust and ultimately failed to achieve the intended result.

The Role of Military Governments

While ECOWAS' response played a part, the military governments of these countries also share the blame. Rather than engaging in dialogue, they formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), choosing to distance themselves from ECOWAS instead of negotiating a middle ground. Their exit signals a shift toward self-reliance and a rejection of external pressure, but at what cost? With their economies already struggling, leaving ECOWAS may further limit their access to regional trade, economic support, and diplomatic engagement.

What Next for ECOWAS?

Despite the exit now being official, ECOWAS has kept its doors open and urged member states to continue extending certain privileges, such as free movement under its passport system. However, this does not erase the deepening divide in the region. Moving forward, ECOWAS must rethink its approach to governance crises, favoring dialogue over punitive measures. If the bloc cannot rebuild trust, this exit could set a precedent for further fragmentation in West Africa.