(5 Minutes Read)
The Alliance of Sahel States (ASS), however fragile it can be, is now aiming to achieve economic integration among its members. These three countries have a large population base, accounting for 16 per cent of West Africa’s total. However, their combined contribution to the regional economy is lower, at 7 percent of the GDP. Compared to other countries in the region, the trio faces many hurdles emanating from years of neglect and exploitation by its ex-colonizers.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is facing a critical period with the challenges posed by the Alliance of Sahel States and economic instability in West Africa. Recent coups and economic sanctions have highlighted the organization’s weaknesses, exacerbating internal divisions.
However, the election of a new president in Senegal and the dialogue initiatives by Bassirou Diomaye Faye offer prospects for renewal. The question asked is whether this isolated development can ensure peace and stability in the region. To further weaken ECOWAS, on 28 January 2024, the military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger declared their departure from ECOWAS.
The Alliance of Sahel States (ASS), however fragile it can be, is now aiming to achieve economic integration among its members. These three countries have a large population base, accounting for 16 per cent of West Africa’s total. However, their combined contribution to the regional economy is lower, at 7 percent of the GDP. Compared to other countries in the region, the trio faces many hurdles emanating from years of neglect and exploitation by its ex-colonizers.
It appears the countries that want to come out of the shackles of their ex-colonizers might get support from Russia and China in terms of economic aid and ensuring security assistance to ward off attacks from Islamic militants, which are threatening to assume unbearable proportions in some countries. But the engagement of Russia in Ukraine and the decline of the power base of Wagner-a group of private army under the control of Russia and not so serious stand of China in the imbroglio can cast dark shadows of the sustainability of outside help for the trios, which have to depend extensively on the outside forces for its survival as a separate bloc away from ECOWAS.
On top of it, the US is trying every trick up its sleeves to continue in the region because of the West’s economic and strategic interests. It is creating its own influential pockets in the region, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa with the prospects of a visit of President Biden to the region any time now. The US now has agreed to withdraw its over 1000 troops stationed in Niger by September 15. However, reports indicate that backroom negotiations are underway to ensure their continuous presence in the region in one way or the other.
Read Also:
https://trendsnafrica.com/ecowas-lifts-sanctions-on-niger/
https://trendsnafrica.com/ecowas-struggles-to-meet-single-currency-convergence-criteria/
Also, the trio can survive the pangs of isolation only when they get external aid. With the sanctions imposed on them and apparent overtures by the US and its allies including from West Europe and from the continent itself, it is to be seen how far they (the trio) can walk the talk.
