Edward Aitken | Africa Fellow
Image sourced from Barke via Wikimedia Commons.
Regional dynamics in West Africa have always been complex. It is resource rich area with an estimated 419 million people and is made up of diverse leaders and diverse populations. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), formed in 1975 has attempted to overcome these complexities by establishing a regional bloc of member states. Its stated aims of promoting economic and security interests have formed the foundation of regional order ever since.
ECOWAS now faces a direct challenge from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES, or Alliance des Etats de Sahel in French), a new regional group created in 2023 by breakaway former ECOWAS member states. The states forming the AES – Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger – have quit ECOWAS citing the need for a new international dynamic for West Africa that does away with Western neo-colonial influence. Foreign actors should exercise restraint to allow the challenge and an 'Africa first' foreign policy to take charge.
Recent geopolitical events in West Africa
All three member states of the AES have recently undergone military coups. Mali underwent two coups in 2020 and 2021, both led by military leader Assimi Goita. Goita has now assumed presidency since 2021. Soon after in 2022, Burkina Faso experienced two coups, both led by military leader Ibrahim Traore who assumed presidency since September 2022. In neighbouring Niger, a military coup in July 2023 deposed former president Mohamed Bazoum who was replaced by military leader Abdourahamane Tchiani.
ECOWAS has responded strongly to all coups. They imposed economic sanctions on Mali after their first coup, before suspending them from the bloc. In 2021, ECOWAS demanded a transition to a civilian government for the sanctions and suspension to be lifted. In 2022, they made similar demands to Burkina Faso. ECOWAS viewed the coup in Niger as the last straw. They imposed even harsher sanctions and threatened military intervention if their demand to reinstate Bazoum was not met.
Mali and Burkina Faso were quick to respond to the ECOWAS threat in Niger, promising military aid in the event of an intervention in September 2023. One year later, ECOWAS has taken no military action and has rolled back sanctions on Niger. Since Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger announced their security pact in September 2023, they have moved quickly to legitimise their alliance. In May 2024, they finalised a draft text enabling the creation of the AES and in July 2024, the leaders met at a summit in Niamey, Niger, where they signed a confederation treaty to strengthen defensive ties and form closer economic ties.
Since these events, ECOWAS has changed their tactics and rhetoric in a bid for reconciliation. They lifted sanctions on all AES states in February 2024 and offered their re-entry to the bloc. The AES responded by labelling ECOWAS as a threat and puppets of the West.
The challenging models
The ECOWAS model is aligned with international institutions like the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Court of Justice. Made up of largely former English and French colonies, member states toe the Western line on economic and military matters. Member states have seen considerable economic growth this century, however, regional security has deteriorated during this time, with armed groups and terrorist organisations controlling large areas and regularly waging deadly attacks.
The AES seeks to challenge ECOWAS's model and core principles through an anti-imperialist ‘Africa first’ rhetoric. For example, Ibrahim Traore at the recent summit in Niamey stated "this continent has suffered and continues to suffer from the fire of the imperialists. These imperialists have only one cliché in mind: 'Africa is the empire of slaves'." The comments come after AES countries expelled French and US soldiers stationed in the Sahel as part of an anti-jihadist mission. The rationale for the expulsion is that Western military presence has only led to greater insecurity.
These Africa-first comments and actions by the military leaders have been welcomed by many. Young populations have become frustrated with a lack of economic opportunity, blaming the traditional political and persistent post-colonial influence from France as enabling corruption and stifling economic access.
International actors must restrain
The regional challenge from the AES should be a cause for concern for international observers but does not serve as a reason to intervene. Such restraint will be challenging for France from an economic perspective. France has a resource dependency on West Africa, particularly Niger, from which France receives 20 per cent of its uranium. In July 2024, Niger revoked the uranium mining licenses of French companies. While this does not pose an immediate threat to French energy supplies, France would be keen to avoid a similar response from other former French colonies in West Africa.
On security grounds, the expulsion of French and US troops has seen Russia and Turkey offer security support amidst rising tensions. In July 2024, an insurgent attack on Malian and Russian troops in Mali was claimed as being generated from Ukrainian intelligence. Mali has since cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine, but a proxy battleground may be emerging.
Further action from international actors should be avoided and respect for an 'Africa first' foreign policy should be allowed. An international presence has not led to greater stability in the Sahel and the populations of the AES member states are calling for change. While the security and economic situations in West Africa may not improve for a while yet, the shift from the AES to challenge regional norms is a healthy challenge that harnesses African-led solutions to foreign policy issues. It is important that this sovereignty is respected, and that post-colonial problems are not recreated by foreign actors.
Edward Aitken is the Africa Fellow for Young Australians in International Affairs. He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Politics and Journalism) from the University of Notre Dame Fremantle. Admitted as a lawyer in 2024, he is currently working at an international commercial law firm in Melbourne.
Edward has a passion for learning about cultures and stories emanating from Africa. His engagement with the continent stemmed from travelling in Eastern and Southern Africa for six months in 2022 and 2023. He hopes to a establish a career in the continent with a keen interest on renewable energy and sustainable development.
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