Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Four of his ribs were broken
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Marwan al-Barghouti lost consciousness after a brutal assault by Israeli occupation soldiers
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip have not stopped, and just a short while ago, fishermen came under fire from boats
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces carry out a large explosion in the eastern neighborhood of the town of Mays al-Jabal in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Israeli political leadership decides to open Rafah crossing “as planned” and transfer aid to Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh

ECOWAS labelled as 'threat' by exiters Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 Jan 2024 22:50
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

The three nations accused the bloc of negligence during the 2012 Sahel upheaval, noting that it imposed "illegal, illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible" sanctions upon their decision to take control of their destiny.

  • x
  • Attendees at the 64th Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) session in Abuja on December 10, 2023. (AFP)
    Attendees at the 64th Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) session in Abuja on December 10, 2023. (AFP)

As Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso exited the ECOWAS block on Sunday, the three countries labelled the economic alliance a "threat" to member states.

"ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, has betrayed its founding principles and become a threat to member states and their peoples, whose happiness it is supposed to ensure," the joint statement read.

The trio accuses the Nigeria-based bloc of not safeguarding them from terrorists during the Sahel region's 2012 upheaval. Instead, they argue that it imposed "illegal, illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible" sanctions once they opted to "take their destiny in their hands."

As a result, the governments of the three countries resolved to "withdraw from ECOWAS without delay". As for ECOWAS, the bloc mentioned that it had not received official notification of their withdrawal. 

#AESinfo
🔴 Retrait du Mali ,du Burkina et du NIGER de la CEDEAO dans un communiqué conjoint des 3 gouvernements sur ORTM. pic.twitter.com/nu5VKjoos3

— Alliance des Etats du Sahel (AES) Info (@AESinfos) January 28, 2024

A Western-backed economic alliance

On July 30th, 2023, ECOWAS (the Economic Community of West African States) froze Niger's assets, imposed sanctions on the junta officials, and gave a stern warning of military intervention if the former government is not restored within a week's deadline. 

Related News

Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to withdraw from ICC, cite 'repression'

Ghana agrees to take in West African migrants deported from US

Correspondingly, the junta took a set of measures to consolidate its authority and fortify its anti-imperialist stance: halting uranium and gold exports to Europe, revoking all military deals with France, and blocking French media platforms France24 and RFI. Additionally, the military leaders warned France and ECOWAS against any military intervention: stressing that they will "resolutely defend their homeland." 

Read more: Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger exit ECOWAS, form separate alliance

Regional countries have also taken opposing stances on Niger. Original members of the Western-backed ECOWAS bloc such as Senegal have affirmed their commitment to partake in the military intervention. 

Mali and Burkina Faso who had also defected from the Western bloc vehemently opposed the threat of military intervention against Niger saying they would consider it a declaration of war against their respective nations if the ECOWAS bloc went through with the threatened military intervention. 

Alliance of the Sahel States

In recent months, these countries have solidified their stances and formed an "Alliance of Sahel States."

The withdrawal of French military forces from the Sahel, the region along the Sahara desert across Africa, has raised concerns about the potential spread of conflicts southward to Gulf of Guinea states, including Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast.

The prime minister appointed by Niger's military regime criticized ECOWAS for "bad faith" on Thursday, expressing dissatisfaction as the bloc largely avoided a scheduled meeting in Niamey.

Niger expected a chance to address differences with fellow ECOWAS states, but the organization had been distant, subjecting Niamey to substantial economic and financial sanctions in response to the military coup that ousted elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

Read more: Iran, Niger ink cooperation agreements in Tehran: Reports

  • West Africa
  • Burkina Faso
  • ECOWAS
  • Mali
  • Sahel
  • Niger

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
UK extends jet patrols over Poland as NATO builds ‘drone wall’
Politics

UK extends jet patrols over Poland as NATO builds ‘drone wall’

Thousands trapped in El Fasher siege on ‘edge of survival': Report
Politics

Thousands trapped in El-Fasher siege on ‘edge of survival': Report

Trump links aid to Milei’s midterm success, blackmailing Argentinians.
US & Canada

Trump 'extorts' Argentinians, links aid to Milei’s midterm success

Six foreigners barred as US polices speech on Charlie Kirk
Politics

6 foreigners' visas revoked as US polices speech on Charlie Kirk

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS