After demonstrating its "powerlessness," ECOWAS could experience "a rapid disintegration," Vice President of the Bloc for the Recovery and Development of Mali Agali Welé told Sputnik Africa.
After ECOWAS heads of state acknowledged on December 15 the intention of the AES countries to leave the West African community, "many countries will question themselves and will be more likely to be able to request withdrawal or to disregard certain protocols within ECOWAS," Welé said.
Conversely, the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, "has just created what is called positive deviance, an unexpected situation that amazes many countries and communities silently observing, who will likely follow the example of these three countries," the politician stated, noting that this probability "is very strong."
In managing security crises, the AES countries "have made gigantic, unimaginable efforts," providing "a vigorous response to jihadists and terrorists."
Earlier, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu emphasized the commitment of ECOWAS leaders to the welfare of citizens in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger while maintaining a firm stance against unconstitutional governments.