The AES States confirm their intention to leave ECOWAS.

The AES States confirm their intention to leave ECOWAS. The AES States have reaffirmed their determination to irreversibly leave ECOWAS. In response to ECOWAS’s postponement of AES’s withdrawal to July 2025 on December 15, 2024, AES leaders denounced it as a maneuver orchestrated by France and its allies aimed at maintaining instability in the region. Accusing them of supporting armed terrorist groups active in the Sahel and border areas, the AES announced strong measures:

• Maximum alert status for security forces.
• Enhanced coordination of military operations within the confederal space.
• Mobilization of populations to reject any attempt at terrorist recruitment.
• This situation reflects the major opposition between an ECOWAS wishing to preserve its influence and an AES determined to assert its sovereignty, by strengthening new strategic alliances, particularly with Russia.

Note: AES refers to the Alliance of Sahel States, and ECOWAS is the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO in French)