ECOWAS

Burkina Faso issues new passport without ECOWAS logo

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Ousmane Sonko visits Mali to push for ECOWAS reintegration

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Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko made his first visit to Mali since taking office in March 2024. This visit is part of Senegal’s diplomatic push to reintegrate Mali, along with Niger and Burkina Faso, into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after the countries left the regional bloc following military takeovers. Sonko’s meeting with Mali’s interim president, Colonel Assimi Goita, emphasized the need for West African nations to overcome their differences and rebuild a united regional entity. Sonko envisioned a “Malian empire” connecting Mali with Senegal, Ghana, and beyond. In January, the juntas of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso criticized ECOWAS for imposing what they called “illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible” sanctions instead of supporting their fight against security threats. ECOWAS has been applying pressure through sanctions and rejecting extended transition periods to restore civilian rule. This situation marks the first time in nearly 50 years that ECOWAS members have withdrawn in such a manner. The three nations have since formed their own alliance, The Alliance of Sahel States. Senegalese President Basirou Diomaye Faye, who also visited Mali in May, faces the challenge of reuniting the fractured regional bloc.

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ECOWAS Sending 1,200 troops to Sierra Leone

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced that it will send 1,200 troops to Sierra Leone. According to a written statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the ECOWAS Chairperson Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Tinubu met with the chiefs of staff of member countries in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa stated during the meeting that ECOWAS has decided to deploy 1,200 troops to Sierra Leone and that the member countries have pledged to support this effort. Coup Attempt in Sierra Leone On November 26, 2023, a group attacked an armory at the Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown, followed by an assault on a nearby prison. In the prison attack, 2,200 inmates escaped, leading to a partial curfew being imposed across the country. Military spokesperson Issa Bangura reported that in the attack on the Wilberforce Barracks, 19 people, including 13 soldiers and one police officer, lost their lives, and 8 others were injured. Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor A. Bah, described the attacks on the barracks and the prison as a “coup attempt.” Several individuals, including military personnel and police officers, have been detained in connection with the coup attempt. Among the suspects, 12, including a bodyguard of former President Ernest Bai Koroma, have been charged with “treason.” Koroma traveled to Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, after Sierra Leone’s High Court permitted him to go abroad for medical treatment.

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ECOWAS allocated $14M for humanitarian aid

Africa /

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reported allocating $14 million over one year to support humanitarian efforts in the region and combat terrorism. According to a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Advisor to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Tinubu attended the “African Union 6th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting” held in Accra, Ghana’s capital. President Tinubu, who is also the ECOWAS Chair, mentioned during the meeting that ECOWAS has allocated $14 million to support humanitarian efforts and counterterrorism in the region. He also noted that ECOWAS is exploring other financing options for its $2.6 billion Contingency Force. Tinubu highlighted that ECOWAS faces various challenges such as terrorism, food insecurity, and climate change, and mentioned that the organization will continue dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, who have decided to leave ECOWAS, and will convene an “Extraordinary Special Summit” on the future of the Community. Tinubu did not announce the summit date but indicated that leaders would discuss ongoing negotiations with Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso regarding their decision to leave ECOWAS. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, who decided to leave ECOWAS and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), held their first summit in Niamey, Niger’s capital, on July 6th. During the summit, they signed a joint declaration to establish the “Confederation of Sahel States,” comprising the three countries, and elected Malian President Assimi Goita as the AES Chair for a one-year term.

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