Africa : ECOWAS in violation of its texts
The withdrawal of countries from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) continues to make headlines and has become the main subject of debates within the populations.
Although abrupt, the decision is said to have been carefully considered, according to the authorities of the AES countries. While positively welcomed by the people, the ECOWAS commission criticizes this decision for not following the judicial procedures outlined by its institution.
Indeed, the ECOWAS treaty specifies that any state wishing to withdraw must notify it in writing within a one-year period and is required to comply with its obligations during this time. However, the treaty allows for the withdrawal of the withdrawal request during these 12 months.
For several years now, ECOWAS has lost all its credibility and is currently perceived as a union of presidents serving imperialism. Its role since the events of July 26, 2023, in Niger is evidence of this, showing that it makes decisions without adhering to the established texts. Decisions such as the closure of Niger’s borders and military threats were made in violation of the texts.
If this is not the case, the community should justify its decisions by referring to specific articles. No article in its texts foresees such sanctions imposed on Niger, to the extent of preventing the people from accessing essential products. Nevertheless, ECOWAS has made such decisions, which continue to have serious consequences for the people.
In this stance, ECOWAS is already in contradiction as it does not respect its own texts, so there is no need to demand that member states respect any provisions.
