The official exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has marked a shift towards more pragmatic cooperation between neighbouring countries based on strategic interests. Although formal negotiations for separation have not yet begun, economic ties have been maintained, especially through the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), which guarantees the free movement of goods, people and capital between members. However, ECOWAS faces significant challenges, such as the management of personnel from exiting countries, the cost-sharing of ongoing projects, and the difficulty of maintaining its democratic principles in the face of military regimes reluctant to compromise on their political transitions.
At the same time, several ECOWAS countries are adopting more flexible positions vis-à-vis the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), with new leaders such as Ghanaian President John Mahama promoting a more realistic diplomacy focused on security and trade. This new disposition has led to ad hoc bilateral cooperation, especially on counter-terrorism, such as joint patrols between Senegal and Mali or military exercises between Togo and ESA members. While full reintegration seems distant, the current political context could be conducive to a new framework of regional understanding, based on political realism rather than strict adherence to the founding ideals of ECOWAS.
Source: issafrica.org