ECOWAS: AES Confederation exit, West African organization’s transition period pointless, say observers
At its 66th ordinary session on Sunday, December 15, in Abuja, the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) decided to allow more room for negotiations with the countries of the Sahel Confederation (AES). This move is seen as an attempt to reintegrate these nations into the organization. However, observers believe that this approach is likely to fail.
According to these observers, the AES member states have already made their position clear regarding ECOWAS’s decision. Firstly, their joint press release on January 28, 2024, announcing their withdrawal from ECOWAS emphasized that it was an irreversible decision. This stance has been reiterated repeatedly since then.
Furthermore, on December 14, the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) reiterated the irreversible nature of their decision to leave ECOWAS in its statement regarding the free movement of people. Niger’s transitional president, General Abdourahamane Tiani, reaffirmed this on December 17 during his speech on the eve of the 66th anniversary of Niger’s Republic. “This is an irreversible decision, as it was carefully and thoughtfully considered”, he declared in his address. This, according to observers, implies that the AES countries are determined to move forward together outside ECOWAS to face the challenges ahead.
Mediation efforts for negotiations may only focus on ways to coexist in the best interests of the citizens in these countries. However, the AES Confederation has stated that it is committed to a dynamic of integration for its peoples, ensuring the free movement of persons and goods without constraints, but strictly within the respect of the rules governing this space.
