Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger want to leave Ecowas. A political scientist explains the fallout

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger want to leave Ecowas. A political scientist explains the fallout

By Olayinka Ajala, Leeds Beckett University Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have sent Ecowas, west Africa’s main political union of 15 countries, a formal notice of their withdrawal from the bloc. The three countries are governed by military rulers who have overthrown democratically elected leaders since 2021. The Conversation Africa’s Godfred Akoto Boafo asked political scientist Olayinka Ajala about the implications of the withdrawal. Why are Mali, Benin […]

February 6, 2024 3

Africa

Niger and Russia are forming military ties: 3 ways this could upset old allies

By Olayinka Ajala, Leeds Beckett University In July 2023, Niger’s military took over in a coup just two years after the country’s first transition to civilian power. The coup has brought into sharp focus the role of foreign countries in Niger’s politics. Before the coup, France and the US were the main security allies of Niger. But the coup leaders, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, were open about […]

January 30, 2024 17