By Emilie Gay

ECOWAS, weakened, faces growing tensions with the ASS. 

ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) is a regional organisation established on May 28, 1975. Its aim is to promote cooperation and economic integration among member states in order to foster the creation of a West African economic and monetary union [4]. The organisation also strengthened its security role with the establishment, in 1990, of ECOMOG (Economic Community of West African States Cease-fire Monitoring Group), a military force tasked with maintaining peace in the region. This role was further reinforced by the development of the Economic Community of West African States Cease-fire Monitoring Group’s military component. In order to enable member countries to develop economically, this organisation seeks political stability and the maintenance of peace. This renewed focus also reflects the growing tensions in the West African region, within an unstable geopolitical context [7]. 

At the end of January 2025, the Economic Community of West African States lost its three founding members: Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger [1]. Together, these three countries formed a major pillar of the organisation. Their departure was based on the accusation that the bloc did not help them fight against jihadist violence while serving western interests. ECOWAS was then forced to acknowledge this loss and re-establish dialogue with the ASS member states [4]. In July 2023, the coup in Niger prompted ECOWAS to affirm its intolerance of unconstitutional changes and the release of President Mohamed Bazoum [8]. The bloc stated that it would take all possible measures to restore constitutional order. An article published by the French newspaper LeMonde asserted that ECOWAS could face a loss of credibility following the lifting of its sanctions against Niger, as well as against Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali, where other attempted military coups had taken place [6]. This political instability and lack of efficiency eventually caused the institutional decline. 

This is where the real conflict between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS) lies. On one side, an organisation weakened by the departure of its three key members, and on the other, the ASS, whose authorities continue to strengthen their alliances. The Alliance of Sahel States was founded in September 2023 by Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. This intergovernmental organisation, created as a mutual defence pact, was threatened by ECOWAS, which then warned of military intervention [5]. On July 6, 2024, the three ASS member states transformed this organisation into a confederation [5]. The Sahel region being a central point of fighting between regular armies and terrorist and mercenary groups since 2003, the ASS aims to counter any potential threat of armed rebellion or external aggression. According to the charter of the pact: “Any attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more contracting parties will be considered an aggression against the other parties” [3]. 

Even today, ECOWAS faces numerous difficulties, initially linked to the Niger crisis in 2023. Maintaining its influence, peace, and economic and political relations remains a constant challenge for ECOWAS, one that is difficult to overcome at times. The loss of the three core states has weakened the organisation since January 2025, which is struggling to re-establish itself in this context of tensions with the ASS. In May 2025, following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States, the three countries of the Alliance of Sahel States agreed to cooperate in the “fight against terrorism” and to “safeguard the gains of regional integration” [4]. 

Edited by Oriane Beveraggi

References

[1] United States Trade Representative. “Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) | United States Trade Representative.” USTR, https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/africa/regional-economic-communities-rec/economic-community-west-african-states. Accessed 10 March 2026.

[2] Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. “Western Africa.” Britannica, 2025. Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Economic-Community-of-West-African-States. Accessed 10 March 2026.

[3] Reuters. “Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso sign the Sahel security pact.” Reuters, 2023. Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mali-niger-burkina-faso-sign-sahel-security-pact-2023-09-16/. Accessed 16 March 2026.

[4] TV5Monde Info. “La CEDEAO et le Mali, le Burkina Faso et le Niger conviennent de coopérer “contre le terrorisme.”” TV5Monde Info, 2025. TV5 Monde Info, https://information.tv5monde.com/afrique/la-cedeao-et-le-mali-le-burkina-faso-et-le-niger-conviennent-de-cooperer-contre-le. Accessed 16 March 2026.

[5] Le Monde. “Le Burkina Faso, le Mali et le Niger s’unissent au sein d’une “Confédération des Etats du Sahel.”” Le Monde, 2024. Le Monde, https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2024/07/06/le-burkina-faso-le-mali-et-le-niger-s-unissent-au-sein-d-une-confederation-des-etats-du-sahel_6247402_3212.html. Accessed 16 March 2026.

[6] Le Monde. “La Cedeao fête ses 50 ans sur fond de tensions internes et de défis sécuritaires.” Le Monde, 2025, https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2025/05/28/la-cedeao-fete-ses-50-ans-sur-fond-de-tensions-internes-et-de-defis-securitaires_6608995_3212.html. Accessed 16 March 2026.

[7] United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. “ECOWAS – Peace, Security, Stability and Governance.” United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, n.d. n.d. n.d., https://archive.uneca.org/oria/pages/ecowas-peace-security-stability-and-governance. Accessed 26 May 2026.

[8] Mushoriwa, Linda. “Another Military Coup in Niger: What Next for the AU and ECOWAS? — African Law Matters.” African Law Matters, 14 August 2025, https://www.africanlawmatters.com/blog/another-military-coup-in-niger. Accessed 26 May 2026.

[Cover picture] Wikimedia Commons. (n.d.). Media search results for “Ecowas”. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved June 4, 2026, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=Ecowas&title=Special%3AMediaSearch&type=image