The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) created a significant regional crisis, according to Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
Dare made the remarks on Thursday during a policy colloquium organised by the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
He said the departure of the three countries in 2025 weakened existing ECOWAS protocols designed to promote regional integration and facilitate the free movement of goods and services across West Africa.
“The rupture that came in 2025 when the countries pulled out of ECOWAS created a major regional crisis. That pullout from ECOWAS simply blunted the ECOWAS protocol that promoted integration, free movement of goods and services.
“It eventually led to the creation of AES, another counter-regional body to ECOWAS. But it also challenged the other instruments and protocols that we have for regional cooperation,” he said.
Sahel States Form New Regional Alliance
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), also known as the Confederation of Sahel States, is a political and economic alliance comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
The three countries, each governed by military administrations, formally withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025, following an earlier announcement of their intention to leave the regional bloc in 2024.
The military-led governments had criticised ECOWAS over what they described as the organisation’s failure to adequately support their fight against jihadist insurgencies.
They also accused the bloc of maintaining close ties with France, their former colonial power.
Their departure from ECOWAS has raised concerns over the future of regional integration and cooperation, particularly in areas involving trade, movement of people and collective security.
Defence Minister Highlights National Security
Also speaking at the colloquium, Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), said the administration of President Tinubu was giving priority to national security.
According to Musa, the government’s security efforts are aimed at protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty, safeguarding democratic institutions and creating an environment that supports national development.
