The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), created in 1975 to foster economic integration and collective self-sufficiency, has betrayed its founding vision in its handling of Niger’s July 2023 coup.
When General Abdourahamane Tchiani ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, ECOWAS—acting as the puppet of Western powers—imposed crushing sanctions and threatened military invasion against our brothers and sisters in Niger. By January 2025, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso boldly withdrew from this compromised institution, forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to reclaim their sovereignty and dignity.
This isn’t just about coups—it’s about our generation’s fight to break the chains of neocolonialism and fulfil the dreams of our Pan-African ancestors.
ECOWAS’s legitimacy crisis
Make no mistake—ECOWAS has become a club of Western-backed presidents protecting their own interests. While claiming to defend democracy through its 2001 Protocol, ECOWAS has tolerated “constitutional dictatorships” like Togo’s Faure Gnassingbé, who has ruled since 2005 through rigged elections.
Yet when military leaders in Niger seized power, ECOWAS unleashed brutal sanctions—border closures, asset freezes, a no-fly zone, and cutting 70% of Niger’s electricity—punishing ordinary Africans while Western corporations continued extracting our resources.
“ECOWAS’s selective outrage—cracking down on military coups while ignoring civilian autocrats—has eroded its moral authority, making it appear as a club of self-interested heads of state.”
— Ezenwa E. Olumba, Pan-African Policy Institute (September 2024)
The junta leaders—whatever their flaws—spoke to our generation’s hunger for true independence when they framed ECOWAS as a neocolonial tool of France.
“ECOWAS and the jihadists are the same.”
— Captain Ibrahim Traoré, BURKINA FASO (October 2023)
This is not the Pan-African unity Kwame Nkrumah envisioned when he dreamed of an Africa united against exploitation.
A Divided house cannot stand
ECOWAS Chair Bola Tinubu’s threats of military invasion—backed by French interests—revealed how disconnected our leaders are from the pulse of the people.
Nigerian youth rallied against this potential war with our Nigerien brothers. Social media became our battlefield.
“The more ECOWAS and France talked tough, the more the people supported the coup leaders. The ultimatum backfired spectacularly.”
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo), CNN (August 7, 2023)
Togo’s failed mediation and the creation of AES revealed a fragmented ECOWAS, incapable of representing African interests.
“Our region is facing the risk of disintegration.”
— Omar Touray, ECOWAS Commission President (January 2025)
From Liberia and Sierra Leone to today’s Sahel, ECOWAS has lost its way—choosing foreign interests over African lives.
Rise of new Pan-Africanism
These military takeovers aren’t just coups—they’re early tremors of a generational revolution.
When citizens in Niamey waved Russian flags, they weren’t embracing new colonizers—they were rejecting French-backed economic servitude. The AES, with its flag, passport, and proposed currency, symbolizes a quest for economic independence, not just political slogans.
“The AES realises the dream of leaders like Nkrumah, who sought African unity free from colonial shackles. Today’s youth recognise this historical continuity.”
— Prof. Adewale Adeoye, Pan-African Center for Strategic Studies (Dec. 2024)
Yes, elections have been delayed—but what’s the point of elections if our economies are still run by France via the CFA franc?
AES’s 0.5% import duty on ECOWAS goods proves this isn’t about symbolism—it’s realignment toward sovereignty.
Sovereignty with Accountability
While the AES symbolises resistance, we must still hold juntas accountable. Sovereignty is not a license for autocracy.
“We support the rejection of French interference, but demand that our military leaders commit to transparency and eventual civilian rule. True sovereignty belongs to the people, not to any general.”
— Debout sur les Remparts, Mali (February 2025)
This reflects Africa’s politically aware youth—rejecting both Western puppetry and unchecked military rule. We want new systems, not recycled strongmen.
Our way forward: reclaiming Pan-African sovereignty
To rebuild a credible ECOWAS—or replace it—young Africans demand:
Break the chains: End the CFA franc and external currency control
Build African defence: No more foreign military bases
Boost intra-African trade: Not deals that benefit Europe and America
Apply consistent standards: No selective outrage—hold all regimes accountable
Tackle root causes: Focus on security, poverty, and inequality that fuel unrest
“The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger isn’t a tragedy—it’s an opportunity to rebuild regional cooperation on truly Pan-African terms.”
— Aminata Touré, Youth Coordinator, Pan-African Movement for Justice and Dignity
The Struggle Continues
ECOWAS’s failure in Niger is not just political—it’s spiritual. It reveals the betrayal of African dreams by post-independence elites.
But a new generation is rising—rejecting both the lie of Western-backed democracy and the dangers of unchecked militarism.
“We are doing everything to keep them in the fold, but disintegration will not promote Pan-Africanism.”
— Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah (Feb. 2025)
We respectfully disagree. Sometimes, systems must break to be rebuilt.
The question for our generation isn’t whether to save ECOWAS. It’s:
How do we build new institutions worthy of Nkrumah’s vision?
Africa’s youth demand nothing less than complete political and economic sovereignty.
