The three junta-led countries, which in recent years have seen more or less democratically elected governments overthrown in military coups, announced their intention to leave Ecowas in January 2024. In July, the juntas announced that they are forming a new coalition called the Sahel States Alliance.
Ecowas, which was founded in 1975 with the goal of promoting cooperation between West African countries, raising the standard of living in the region, and maintaining economic stability, has in recent years been accused of losing relevance. Many believe that the organization is doing too little for the population in a region where few ordinary West Africans benefit from the vast natural resources.
However, Ecowas is keeping the doors open for the countries that have left, they announce. This means, among other things, that the freedom of movement guaranteed by the so-called Ecowas passport will continue to apply to citizens of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
Since 2020, eight military coups have been carried out in countries in West and Central Africa. In addition, coup attempts have failed in Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau. Many of the countries in West Africa are former French colonies that have increasingly turned their backs on the former colonial power in recent decades. Instead, countries like Russia and China have gained more influence.
Formally, the Economic Community of West African States.
Ecowas previously had 15 member countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
In Mali, a military coup took place in May 2021, in Burkina Faso in September 2022, and in Niger in July 2023. The three countries have since then in practice not participated in Ecowas' work.
The organization was founded in 1975 and has its headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria.
Sources: The Foreign Policy Institute and the National Encyclopedia
