In recent times, the African continent has witnessed a concerning surge in military takeovers, igniting fears about stability and casting shadows over investment prospects.
This unsettling trend is especially pronounced in critical mineral-exporting nations like Guinea, Niger, and Gabon, further complicating Western efforts to promote good governance, environmental protection, and labor standards within the Minerals Security Partnership.
The ripples of these coups are felt keenly in the West African region, where the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) faced an unprecedented blow.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger simultaneously announced their withdrawal from the regional bloc, marking the first time such a coordinated exit has occurred.
The joint statement from the departing nations highlighted their dissatisfaction, asserting that ECOWAS had drifted from its original ideals and become influenced by foreign powers.
Accusations has been thrown at ECOWAS, with the leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger decrying the organization’s failure to support member states in the fight against terrorism. The imposition of what they deemed as unjust sanctions further strained relations, prompting a sovereign decision to withdraw from the bloc immediately.
This move mirrors a historical precedent set by Mauritania in 2000, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Africa Must Look Hard At Itself
The withdrawal announcement sent shockwaves across the region, with diplomats, stakeholders, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) predicting Nigeria and ECOWAS as the biggest losers. The diplomatic fallout is particularly significant amid growing influence from Western powers, including the United States and Russia, with the presence of Wagner Brothers fighters in the region adding an extra layer of complexity.
In a defiant broadcast message, military leaders of the departing countries asserted their sovereignty and denounced the alleged injustice of ECOWAS sanctions.
The strained ties between these nations and ECOWAS, dating back to coups in Mali (2020), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (July 2023), coincide with their struggles against jihadist violence and poverty. Despite facing heavy sanctions and suspension from ECOWAS, the trio has fortified its stance through the formation of an “Alliance of Sahel States.”
Stakeholders Perspective
A former NIMASA Director-General, Temisan Omatseye, expressed regret over the potential departure of certain countries from the ECOWAS bloc, emphasizing concerns about trade and the imposition of visas on goods movement.
Also, the Managing Director of Widescope International Logistics Limited, Dr.Segun Musa cautioned against excluding trade from the equation, stressing interdependence in transiting and integrating trade.
In the same vein, General Secretary of the Association of Bonded Terminal Operators of Nigeria, Haruna Omolajomo highlighted the impact on ECOWAS contributions and surrounding economies, noting the potential economic repercussions for Nigeria.
Despite this, ECOWAS reports no official withdrawal letters from the concerned countries.
The repercussions of Africa’s coup contagion extend beyond national borders, it poses a pyramid of challenges to its regional stability and potential international investments in critical sectors.
Is there another way to walk the tightrope more cautiously?
