The Sahel region is not to be recognized. As the current regimes in Bamako, Ouagadougou and Niamey have changed significantly over time. The military regimes, the juntas has decided new paths and created alliances within the region, which alter the old ways.
The rest of world is maybe not catching up to the sentiments of Burkina Faso, Mali or Niger. Neither Guinea for that matter, but they haven’t followed the nations of the Allied of Sahel States (AES). That’s surprising, but maybe Conakry is waiting for the “right” moment to withdraw from ECOWAS as well.
While the AES states does this. There has already been a massive shift. These nations has gone out of the neo-colonial order and challenged France heads on. They haven’t done the ordinary banter and called for reform. Neither have they accepted the old agreements, codes or bilateral trading practices, which has been favourable to Paris. No, they have ceased operations with the French army and with practices that was inherited since independence.
Alas, now the juntas has gone even further and not surprisingly so. They are now weakening the ECOWAS. The CEDEAO of the Western African hemisphere. The trading block that was built to build harmony between the nations. Also, it was supposed to create an economic zone and borderless movement between them. The promises of ECOWAS has been huge, but it haven’t lived up it’s mandate. There are principals involved, but these has also been violated from time to time. Which isn’t new of any sort of organization, but it has to be stated.
The ECOWAS haven’t always been acting in good faith or for the “good neighbourliness” either. The ECOWAS supposed to act upon “non-aggression” between the member states. While foreign interference with organization and pressure from the outside has been reported. That’s why the Sahel region is moving away from it. As they wants to stay sovereign and alone without the possibility of seeing allies turning against them.
The junta’s of our day is maybe pushing things far. Too far without knowing the consequences. They are doing so out a need to show a difference from the past governments. It is also very populist moves to gain support at home. That’s done without much action and need for changes internally. While the external forces has to change accordingly. Because, the three states are now weakening the ECOWAS and making it less significant. Even if they are not the most well off or the biggest markets for trade of any kind there. Still, the loss will be felt and the ECOWAS leadership will have less of influence as a cause of it.
The AES becomes a more singular unit, as it is already sanctioned and tested by the outside. That will continue, as “interests” of others gets into play. This would have happened regardless of who was running these nations. It is how diplomacy and how trade goes. We have seen leaders come and go, but the minerals has to be sold. That’s what is happening and some will be alert. Some of the previous “interests” will ask for more and wonder what is up.
Paris is a loser and been so for months now. The AES is more aligned with Moscow, which hurts the old hegemony. That’s why other European nations are asking the AES to disassociate with the Russians. Alas, the AES are showing their own independence and sovereignty by aligning with who they pleases. However, their choice will have another reaction in other capitals. When you open up one door, another door closes. That is life…
Now that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger is choosing this path. There is maybe no amicable solution on the horizon. However, if ECOWAS was sincere and open. They would have sent envoys and tried to mediate with the nations who are withdrawing. Just so they can try to find a way to keep them in the Commission. Nevertheless, that might be a foolish enterprise and another loss.
Still, ECOWAS would show finesse by doing so. As the state has addressed grievances and reasons for leaving. They aren’t doing it out of nowhere and for no apparent reason. That’s why the tides are turning.
ECOWAS couldn’t keep up with the times. The times are changing. Junta’s are residing and they are moving with haste. They running and we can wonder when their marathon is over. Peace.
MinBane 