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The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) is facing its biggest crisis since it was formed in 1975. Three of its 15 countries – Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali – have formally

withdrawn from the regional body. Their withdrawal, first announced in January 2024, became effective on 29 January, 2025. The three countries have formed an alternative grouping, the

Alliance of Sahel States and vowed not to return to the Ecowas fold. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have a few things in common: they are former French colonies and are currently led by

military juntas. At The Conversation Africa, we have been working with academic experts to gain insights into the implications of the breakaway group, and the future of Ecowas. Here are five

essential reads that we have published on the developments in west Africa. NIGER AS THE FINAL STRAW On 26 July 2023, presidential guards in Niger detained President Mohamed Bazoum and the

presidential guard commander, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, declared himself leader. In response, Ecowas imposed sanctions on Niger. It also threatened military action against the junta.

Olumba Ezenwa and Olayinka Ajala explain how the threat of military action spurred Burkina Faso and Mali – both under military rule and Ecowas sanctions – to form an alliance and mutual

defence pact with Niger. ------------------------- _ READ MORE: ECOWAS: WEST AFRICAN TRADE BLOC SHAKEN AS THREE MEMBER STATES WITHDRAW AND FORM THEIR OWN ALLIANCE _ -------------------------

A NOT SO COMMON CURRENCY Prior to the political crisis tearing at the heart of Ecowas, members of the regional bloc had been talking about creating a common currency. But that took a hit

when, on 11 February 2024, the head of Niger’s military junta, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, spoke of the possible creation of a common currency among members of the breakaway countries.

Thierno Thioune analyses the potential implications and feasibility of this move. ------------------------- _ READ MORE: BURKINA FASO, MALI AND NIGER HINT AT A NEW WEST AFRICAN CURRENCY:

WHAT IT’LL TAKE FOR IT TO SUCCEED _ ------------------------- IMPACT ON TRADE With Ecowas membership down from 15 to 12, there are important implications for free movement of goods and

services across the region. For now, Ecowas has said it would continue to allow free movement of people, goods and services from the breakaway states. A foretaste of what could happen if

this privilege is withdrawn can be gleaned from when border closures were imposed as part of sanctions against the military coup in Niger. Olivier Walther sets out the devastating

consequences for the regional economy of border closures between the Sahelian states and coastal countries of west Africa. ------------------------- _ READ MORE: WEST AFRICA TRADE WILL TAKE

A HIT AS MALI, NIGER AND BURKINA FASO LEAVE ECOWAS _ ------------------------- MIGRATION HURDLES Choosing to walk away from the regional bloc also threw up questions of the impact this would

have on the ability of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger citizens to move around freely within the region. The arrangement within Ecowas is that citizens can move between countries in the region

without a visa, and have a prospective right of residence and setting up businesses. Franzisca Zanker, Amanda Bisong and Leonie Jegen argue that the three countries have much to lose if

their departure from Ecowas curtails mobility. ------------------------- _ READ MORE: FREE MOVEMENT IN WEST AFRICA: THREE COUNTRIES LEAVING ECOWAS COULD FACE MIGRATION HURDLES _

------------------------- THERE MIGHT YET BE A SOLUTION Seeking a solution, Ecowas has mandated Senegal’s President Bassirou Faye to act as a special mediator with the breakaway states. This

was one of the decisions reached at a summit of Ecowas heads of state and government in 2024. Ahead of the summit, Olayinka Ajala identified six steps Ecowas leadership could take to end

the rift and restore confidence in the regional bloc. ------------------------- _ READ MORE: ECOWAS: 6 STEPS THE LEADERS CAN TAKE TO RESTORE STABILITY AND GROWTH IN WEST AFRICA _

------------------------- _This article was updated on 29 January, 2025 to reflect the formal withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from Ecowas._