ECOWAS begins process of moving key institutions out of breakaway Sahel nations
ECOWAS' decision follows the formal withdrawal of the Sahel states - Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the regional bloc earlier this year, deepening the political divide and signaling a shift in the bloc's strategic operations.
The move was discussed during an extraordinary meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers held recently in Ghana, where future relations with the three AES nations were addressed.
The Council's Chair, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, emphasized the importance of the situation, noting that while ECOWAS did not wish for any member states to leave, it must respect their sovereignty under the current military administrations.
Following the meeting, ECOWAS is expected to release memoranda addressing several critical issues, including the formal withdrawal process, the suspension of programs in the departing countries, and challenges related to the free movement of people, goods, and services.
Describing the current moment as a difficult chapter in ECOWAS's history, Tuggar stated, "It was never our wish to deliberate on the withdrawal of member states."
"But in recognizing the sovereignty of these nations under their current military governments, we must now adapt and chart a forward-looking path."
AES moves to enforce its separation
Since breaking away from ECOWAS, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has consistently demonstrated that its departure is final.
The bloc has taken series of decisive steps to assert its sovereignty and reinforce its independence from ECOWAS, confirming its commitment to a separate political and economic path.
Last year, Mali's government renamed ECOWAS Square in Bamako to Confederation of Sahel States (AES) Square, as part of a broader effort to honor national heroes and reclaim cultural identity.
This move follows a December 13 Council of Ministers' ruling to rename key landmarks and institutions, marking a shift away from colonial legacy and towards asserting sovereignty.
Other decisions taken by the AES to strengthen its separation from ECOWAS include:
Creation of AES Passport:
The AES has developed its own regional passport, signaling a clear break from ECOWAS's system and reinforcing its sovereign identity.
Trade Restrictions:
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have imposed trade controls against ECOWAS countries, aiming to establish an independent trade system free from regional sanctions.
Exclusion of ECOWAS Institutions:
AES states have expelled ECOWAS representatives and frozen the bloc's programs, further straining relations and regional integration.
These actions highlight the AES's shift toward autonomy, emphasizing military solidarity, political self-determination, and economic independence.
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