Sahel Divorce Becomes Final as Françafrique Expires
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger ended their membership in the Economic Community of West African States on 29 January, 2025, as French forces departed their last base in the region.
The three countries announced their withdrawal as France handed over its final Sahel military installation at Chad’s Camp Kossei to local forces on 30 January. The French withdrawal concludes with the transfer of combat equipment to France, leaving only containers to move by land and sea through private contractors.
People filled the streets of cities across the three countries celebrating the departure, as their governments solidified the Alliance of Sahel States, or AES, a new partnership framework. The alliance now prepares to launch its own passport system.
Citizens Keep Right to Travel
ECOWAS has acted to protect mobility rights. Member countries must continue accepting passports and identity cards from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Citizens retain visa-free travel, residence rights, and permission to conduct business within the bloc.
The bloc also told members to keep accepting goods and services under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme and investment policy. Officials from the three countries can continue their work for the community until new arrangements take form.
Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop explained: "We have left ECOWAS, but we have not left West Africa.
AES and ECOWAS must find ways to coexist.” Diop referenced Mauritania, which exited the bloc in 2000, and compared its gradual adjustment process to that of Brexit.
Military Partnerships Take Hold
AES now builds its defense capabilities.
Niger's Defence Minister Salifou Mody declared a joint force of 5,000 troops will soon patrol the three countries: "The unified force stands ready. Within weeks, our troops will deploy on the ground."
The force will use its own air power, equipment, and intelligence resources across Alliance territory. Some joint operations have already begun. This military cooperation follows the three countries’ break from Western powers and France, their former defense partners.
New Routes Open to Atlantic Ports
Two news paths to the sea have opened for the landlocked Alliance members. Togo shows interest in joining AES, offering access to its Atlantic ports.
To the north, Morocco is building a new 53-kilometer road to Mauritania, guarded by military drones, connecting Es-Smara to the border. The $58 million project supplements the El Guerguerate crossing secured in 2020.
It’s part of the 2023 Atlantic Initiative to link Sahel countries to Atlantic ports, as Morocco’s African exports grew from $300M to $3B from 2004 to 2024, with Mali as the third-largest investment destination. Plans include Dakhla Atlantic Port (opening 2029) and participation in a $25B, 13-country pipeline moving Niger’s gas to Europe.
Regional Bloc Changes
The three departing states cover over half of ECOWAS land area and hold 17% of its people. Their exit leaves the bloc with 12 members, including Guinea’s suspended seat.
ECOWAS President Omar Alieu Touray wants to keep working together on shared problems, focusing on armed groups in the region. The organisation says it welcomes the three countries back, but many citizens see the bloc as unable to serve their needs.
Around 2.6 million people have been displaced within the region due to armed group violence as of December. The three departing countries now look to their new alliance to address these security concerns.
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