West African leaders are gathering for talks on Sunday to address the deepening crisis in the region.
The meeting comes as four countries have fallen under military rule, with Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau also claiming attempted coups in recent weeks.
These incidents have heightened concerns, particularly with the risk of conflicts spreading south to Gulf of Guinea states like Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast, following a French military withdrawal from the Sahel.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is at the forefront, grappling with the aftermath of coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger since 2020. Member states have imposed tough economic sanctions on the military regime in Niger, which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July.
ECOWAS leaders will meet in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, for an ordinary summit where discussions will focus on delayed transitions back to civilian rule for the affected countries.
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current chair of ECOWAS, will lead the summit, joined by US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee.
Their discussions will revolve around supporting Niger’s return to democratic rule and addressing security concerns in the Sahel.
Niger, a key Western partner in the fight against Sahel militants, has demanded the withdrawal of French troops, adding complexity to the situation, while the US still maintains military personnel in the country.
The mediation efforts between ECOWAS and Niger have faced challenges, with Bazoum’s continued detention by the military junta.
Nigeria has proposed his release and relocation to a third country as a step toward lifting sanctions, but Niger’s military leaders rejected this option. Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe has been asked to act as a mediator in this complex diplomatic scenario.
While military intervention in Niger remains a consideration, it seems increasingly unlikely, according to analysts.
Transitions back to democracy and elections in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea have been stalled or left uncertain.
The departure of French troops from the region has seen military regimes in Niger, Mali, and Burkina unite in an Alliance of Sahel States, signaling a hardening stance in the face of jihadist violence.
Recent events in Sierra Leone, where armed attackers targeted military posts and police stations, resulting in a government-declared coup attempt and 21 casualties, further highlight the challenges faced by ECOWAS member states. Guinea-Bissau also reported an attempted coup, adding to the complex dynamics unfolding in the region.”
