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Three heads of state, each of whom came to power through a military coup, have cemented their partnership by adopting a treaty that establishes a confederation.
This noteworthy development, announced at the end of Saturday’s summit, is believed to forge greater unity and cooperation among member nations, marking a new chapter in their relationship.
A major geopolitical shift is underway in the Sahel, as a group of nations unites under the “AES” confederation, bringing together a population of 72 million under a single umbrella. This move is set to have far-reaching implications for the region’s economic and political sphere.
Back in January, the three countries made a shocking declaration, withdrawing from the ECOWAS, a regional economic bloc they claimed was being covertly controlled by France, a legacy of their colonial past.
With a desire for greater autonomy and diversified partnerships, the three countries have ended their military and defense collaborations with France, opting to explore new avenues of cooperation with Russia and reshape their national security landscapes.
The fragile ties between ECOWAS and the newly installed regime began to fray in July 2023, when a military coup propelled Tiani to power, prompting ECOWAS to retaliate with crippling sanctions and even hint at military intervention to reinstate the deposed leader, Mohamed Bazoum.
“Our people have irrevocably turned their back on ECOWAS,” said General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of Niger’s military government as he opened the summit.
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Relations between ECOWAS deteriorated following a July 2023 coup that brought Tiani to power, when ECOWAS imposed sanctions and even threatened to intervene militarily to restore the ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum.
The sanctions were lifted in February but relations between the two sides remain frosty.
Today, ECOWAS leaders will gather in Abuja for a critical summit, focusing on the vital matter of strengthening their economic partnership with the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK) and its implications for regional growth.
AES nations drew a line in the sand against jihadist aggression in March, inaugurating a combined military force to stem the tide of violence that has ravaged their territories and left a trail of devastation in its wake.
The summit also explored ways to synchronize their strategies in vital areas such as agriculture, water management, energy production, and transportation infrastructure, aiming to leverage their collective strength for enhanced regional development.
The leaders also urged greater representation of native languages in local media outlets, seeking to amplify the voices and stories of their diverse cultural heritage.
