West Africa / Non-compliance with ECOWAS Texts : The Alliance of Sahel States denounces the influence of foreign powers
With the announcement of the withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a heated debate has emerged on the issue of respecting the foundational texts of the regional organization. The persistent influence of France is said to have overridden decisions made by ECOWAS, disregarding the provisions written in the organization’s texts.
One of the major points of contention revolves around the selective application of sanctions outlined in ECOWAS texts. In numerous instances, the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS do not align with those specified in regional agreements. Instead of following established procedures, the sanctions appear to be influenced by external political considerations, particularly those of France.
The foundational texts of ECOWAS provide for sanctions in case of non-compliance with regional commitments, ranging from economic measures to political restrictions. However, these sanctions are not applied equitably, creating a sense of injustice within Sahelian countries. This disparity in sanction implementation serves as an illustration of France’s political influence within ECOWAS.
France’s former colonial status in the region continues to play a significant role in ECOWAS decisions. The withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States from ECOWAS is a means to break away from this dynamic and reaffirm their sovereignty in the face of foreign influences.
The Sahel States Alliance aims to escape an era where regional decisions were often made based on external agendas. Their departure from ECOWAS is a bold step to restore balance in regional cooperation, ensuring that the organization’s texts are respected fairly, without the disproportionate influence of a foreign power.
The fundamental question remains : will ECOWAS be able to review its practices to ensure impartial respect for its texts, or will we witness further departures ?
