ACCRA, GHANA – Regional leaders gathered in Accra on Tuesday for a two-day emergency summit to address the historic withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a move that threatens to upend decades of regional cooperation.
The meeting, which runs through Wednesday, brings together heads of state, diplomats, and trade ministers to determine the future of ECOWAS in the face of mounting political and economic tension. The bloc must now navigate how to maintain unity and trade across West Africa, even as the breakaway countries, governed by military juntas, forge ahead with their new alliance — the Alliance of Sahel States.
ECOWAS in Crisis: Three Nations Exit the Bloc
Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso formalized their withdrawal from ECOWAS earlier this year, citing dissatisfaction with the bloc’s stance on recent coups and alleging political interference. The move marks the first mass exit from ECOWAS in its nearly 50-year history.
In response, ECOWAS has issued temporary transitional measures, maintaining free movement and trade, but the breakaway bloc’s imposition of a 0.5% import duty on ECOWAS goods has sparked concern among member states.
“This development challenges the very foundation of our free trade principles,” said Nigeria’s ECOWAS delegate, Ambassador Musa Nuhu. “We must urgently find a diplomatic and economic path forward that safeguards our region’s integrity.”
Regional Stability and Trade Under Threat
The imposition of the new import levy by the Alliance of Sahel States has created friction at the heart of West Africa’s economic framework. The trio’s new policy diverges from long-standing ECOWAS protocols that allow tariff-free trade and could trigger retaliatory economic measures if unresolved.
“The danger is fragmentation,” said Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission. “We cannot afford to let differences undermine our collective security, prosperity, and peace.”
The economic bloc, home to more than 400 million people, has long prided itself on fostering regional integration through a customs union, visa-free travel, and coordinated policy frameworks. Analysts warn that any sustained disruption could have ripple effects on commerce, job creation, and even food security across the region.
Security Fallout: Sahel Terrorism Worsens
Beyond economic concerns, the summit is expected to tackle the growing security vacuum in the Sahel region. The breakaway nations — all grappling with terrorism and insurgency — have historically collaborated with ECOWAS forces on counterterrorism operations.
“Their departure has complicated our shared fight against violent extremism,” said Dr. Aissata Tall Sall, Senegal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. “The Sahel corridor needs unity, not division, if we are to defeat these threats.”
Several ECOWAS countries have expressed concern that the split could embolden jihadist groups operating in the region, who may exploit weakened cross-border coordination.
A Search for Common Ground
Despite the hardening rhetoric, ECOWAS leaders have emphasized the importance of dialogue. While full reinstatement of the Sahel nations is unlikely in the near term, the summit is exploring frameworks for structured engagement and cooperation in areas such as trade, public health, and climate change.
“There is still room for negotiation,” said Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who is attending the summit in person. “We must prioritize the well-being of our people over politics.”
A draft resolution circulating among delegates proposes the establishment of a “Regional Partnership Council” — a proposed body that could include both ECOWAS and non-ECOWAS nations to coordinate on shared goals outside formal membership structures.
Voices from the Alliance of Sahel States
Meanwhile, the Alliance of Sahel States has defended its decision to leave ECOWAS, calling the move an assertion of sovereignty and a step toward self-determined governance.
In a joint statement issued last week, leaders from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso said, “Our nations are reclaiming their independence from neocolonial structures and charting a new future rooted in the will of our people.”
They further accused ECOWAS of being unduly influenced by foreign interests, particularly following sanctions and diplomatic pressure after the coups that brought military leaders to power in their respective countries.
Diplomatic Hopes and Regional Stakes
Although Ghana’s current president, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, is not personally presiding over the summit, his administration has played a key role in hosting and facilitating the Accra meeting through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
As the summit heads into its final day, delegates are hopeful but cautious.
“We are facing an inflection point,” said Dr. Fatou Ndiaye, a regional governance expert. “What ECOWAS decides here in Accra will define the bloc’s strength — or weakness — in the coming decade.”
If consensus can be reached on trade, security, and future cooperation, the summit could mark a turning point for West African diplomacy. If not, the region risks descending into greater division — with far-reaching consequences for millions.
