Foreign ministers from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) met on Sunday to finalize details surrounding their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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The three member countries—Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali—are scheduled to formally leave ECOWAS on Tuesday, January 28.

During the meeting in Ouagadougou, the ministers emphasized a “global approach” to their negotiations and future relations with ECOWAS, presenting themselves as a unified bloc through the AES framework.

The decision to exit ECOWAS follows a period of strained relations after military coups toppled civilian governments in the three nations:

• Mali (2020)
• Burkina Faso (2022)
• Niger (July 2023)

ECOWAS condemned the coups, suspended the countries’ membership, and demanded the restoration of civilian governance. The military governments rejected these demands, deepening the rift.

The three Sahel nations have adopted a united front, formalizing their own regional bloc, AES, in late 2023. As part of this alliance, they expelled French troops from their territories and turned to Russia for support in countering jihadist insurgencies.

In their Sunday meeting, ministers reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing peaceful coexistence with ECOWAS while insisting that negotiations account for the AES as a collective actor.

This realignment highlights the growing geopolitical shifts in the Sahel region, as these nations redefine their alliances and approach to governance amidst ongoing security challenges.

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