It makes sense for Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States, which has imposed sanctions on them under pressure from Western powers, Malian analyst Abdoul Diallo, head of Radio Couleurs Media, told Sputnik Africa.
The withdrawal of the three African countries from ECOWAS can only benefit them in terms of security and sovereignty, according to the Malian journalist.
"We cannot remain in an organization under the influence of foreign powers. The sanctions against Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger were not taken lightly. The ECOWAS leaders were instructed by France and its allies to take criminal measures against our people," Diallo stressed.
These sanctions have had a serious impact on the population, sometimes depriving them of health care and medicines, the columnist recalled.
Fighting Terrorism
ECOWAS has also shown its incompetence in bringing security to the Sahel region, according to Diallo. This impotence has long been recognized by the population.
"The main problem is still insecurity. When we were part of ECOWAS, it was up to the organization to help us, to help us get rid of the terrorists. But the organization has remained blind and mute in the face of the gravity of the security situation," the columnist explained.
This incompetence of the ECOWAS is clearly evident today, after the three countries have joined forces to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Its joint operations have recently borne fruit, and air strikes against terrorist positions are being stepped up, he noted.
This cooperation was seen in action, for example, during the liberation of the town of Kidal, where Niger and Burkina Faso supplied equipment to Malian forces, according to RFI.
The three Sahelian countries can also count on Moscow's support, especially in terms of military supplies, Abdoul Diallo added.
"We can count on the support and accompaniment of our Russian friends, who wanted to be on our side and who agreed to sell us state-of-the-art military equipment," he recalls.
On Sunday, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali officially announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States, citing the regional bloc's failure to support the three Sahelian nations in their fight against terrorism.
Following the military coup in Niger in July 2023, relations between the three military governments and ECOWAS deteriorated significantly. The regional grouping, openly supported by Paris, imposed economic sanctions on Niger and closed its borders with the country in the midst of a severe humanitarian crisis. In addition to suspending food, oil, and medicine exports with Niger, ECOWAS planned a military investment in the member state, but the plan was later scrapped.
On September 16, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger signed a charter creating the Alliance of Sahel States, a collective defense organization in a key area of the region. It's worth noting that all three transitional governments have suspended military agreements with Paris and expelled French military bases from their territories.