Researcher “ECOWAS is now in damage control mode”

Join us in our latest podcast episode as we delve into the recent decision by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger (now known as the Alliance of Sahelian States) to exit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This move, announced on January 27, 2024, highlights deepening divisions within the region and raises concerns about escalating tensions in the Sahel. We examine the roots of this rift and its implications for regional stability, including the impact on the populations of these countries, the role of foreign powers and the challenges facing ECOWAS in responding effectively. Is this withdrawal an “Ecowexit” or simply a need for a change of tactics?

Our panel of experts for this episode:

• Jesper Bjarnesen, senior researcher at the Nordic Africa Institute
• Babatunde Fagbayibo, Professor of International Law at the University of Pretoria and visiting scholar at NAI