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Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger finalise formation of confederation after ECOWAS exit
The junta-led nations of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have finalised plans to form a confederation after severing ties with the regional bloc ECOWAS.
The announcement came after a meeting of the foreign ministers from the three Sahel states in Niamey, Niger’s capital, on May 17.
The ministers agreed on a text establishing the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a plan that was initially disclosed in February.
"The objective was to finalise the draft text relating to the institutionalization and operationalization of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)," stated Niger Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare.
Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, following a meeting with the head of the Nigerien junta, General Abdourahamane Tiani, declared, "We can consider very clearly, today, that the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has been born."
The heads of state from the three countries are set to formally adopt the text at an upcoming summit, although the exact date has yet to be specified, according to reports by Punch Nigeria.
The three military-ruled West African nations announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in a joint statement on January 28. This decision followed sanctions from the regional bloc aimed at pressuring their military leaders to revert to democratic governance.
The three states have also ended their ties with former colonial ruler France. This move followed a series of events beginning with Mali expelling French soldiers in 2022, followed by Niger in early 2023, and Burkina Faso in late 2023. These actions were taken amid accusations that France had failed to curb jihadist violence in the region.
