West African Military States Introduce Visa-Free Travel to Challenge Regional Bloc
The New Direction for Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger
In an unprecedented move, three West African countries—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—have declared a visa-free travel and residency policy for citizens across the Ecowas member states. This announcement comes as these nations, all governed by military leaders, prepare to exit the 15-member West African regional bloc.
The leaders of these countries have emphasized that this decision aligns with fostering friendship and reinforcing age-old bonds among African populations. Set to take effect in January 2024, the withdrawal from Ecowas follows a firm rejection of demands to re-establish democratic governance.
Implications of Ecowas Withdrawal: A Blow to Regional Unity
Ecowas leaders convened in Nigeria to deliberate on this significant development. Concerns loom large over the potential impact on regional unity, specifically in terms of economic collaboration and security cooperation.
Reaction from Ecowas Leaders and Mediation Efforts
During the summit’s opening, Omar Touray, the head of the Ecowas commission, expressed that the impending exit is “disheartening.” However, he acknowledged and commended ongoing mediation initiatives aimed at resolving these issues.
Leading the charge in these mediation efforts is Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who has been ardently working to keep the military-led states within Ecowas. Despite these diplomatic attempts, the nations remain unwavering in their stance.
Formation of the Alliance of Sahel States
Upon completion of their withdrawal, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger will form a new bloc known as the Alliance of Sahel States. This decision will significantly impact Ecowas, resulting in the loss of approximately 76 million people from its total population of 446 million and more than half of its geographical land area.
Highlighting their commitment to continued cooperation, Mali’s military leader and the alliance’s chairman, Assimi Goïta, assured that Ecowas citizens would still retain the rights to enter, circulate, reside, establish, and leave the territory of the new bloc.
Historical Tensions and Alliances
The relations between Ecowas and the three nations have been fraught with tensions following recent military coups—Niger witnessed a coup in July, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Mali in 2020. Ecowas denounced these power seizures and suspended the nations, hoping for a restoration of civilian governance.
A notable shift in international alignments has seen the coup leaders deepen their ties with Russia, accusing Ecowas of overly aligning with Western powers. This pivot comes amidst growing reliance on Russian support to combat insurgent jihadi forces in the region.
Potential Consequences for the Region
The departure of these member states from Ecowas marks the first significant split in the bloc’s history. It challenges the efforts towards advancing a united front within the region, as seen in initiatives like the ambitious transnational highway project from Ivory Coast to Nigeria.
As the geopolitical landscape of West Africa continues to evolve, countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger forge their own path, rekindling historical ties and shaping new alliances. This development serves as a crucial pivot point for regional integration and continues to attract global attention.
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Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp31lny4jweo