There is increasing Russian influence in the West Africa region after 3 military coups (Reuters)

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which includes 15 members, the ruling military regimes announced in a joint statement.

According to the statement read through the official media, the leaders of the three countries, “bearing all their responsibilities before history and responding to the expectations and aspirations of their peoples, decide with full sovereignty to immediately withdraw Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States.”

ECOWAS confirmed in a statement that the three countries are “important members of the group,” which “remains committed to reaching a negotiated solution to the political impasse” resulting from the announcement of its withdrawal, adding that it is still awaiting “official and direct notification” of this decision.

The decision may lead to major repercussions, including, for example, the movement of goods and individuals in the three countries that lack a sea port. It will also have implications for visa and tax exemptions, with indirect effects on prices.

The implementation of the withdrawal itself raises questions, as the ECOWAS Treaty stipulates that any country wishing to withdraw must notify the group in writing within one year, and must comply with its obligations during this period. It also leaves the door open to retract the withdrawal request within 12 months.

Supportive demonstration

Hundreds gathered in Niamey, the capital of Niger, to support the withdrawal, raising anti-ECOWAS banners, as well as the flags of the three countries and Russia, the new ally of the military regimes after the forced departure of France, the former colonial power.

The three countries face a bad security situation, violence committed by extremist groups, and deteriorating social conditions, and their relations with ECOWAS have become tense since the army seized power in Mali in 2020, in Burkina Faso in 2022, and in Niger in 2023.

ECOWAS is trying to stop the wave of coups, and to press for the return of the previous regimes to power as soon as possible. It imposed severe sanctions on Mali and Niger, going as far as threatening to use force, and suspending the participation of the three countries in its institutions.

The ruling military regimes in the three countries consider that France has a significant influence on the Economic Community of West African States, and that the withdrawal is the latest step in the break with the traditional allies of the three countries.

Indicators

These are 10 economic indicators for the withdrawing countries:

GDP in 2022 (according to the World Bank)

Burkina Faso

: $18.9 billion.

Niger

: $14 billion.

Mali

: $18.82 billion.

Economic growth in 2022 (according to the World Bank)

Burkina Faso

: The economy contracted by 1.5%

Niger

: growth of 11.5%

Mali

: 3.7% growth

Inflation in 2022 (according to the World Bank)

Burkina Faso

: 14.3%

Niger

: 4.2%

Mali

: 9.6%

Poverty (according to the World Bank)

Burkina Faso

: 31.2% of the population are poor, according to World Bank data issued in 2018.

Niger

: 50.9% of the population is poor (meaning their income is less than $2.15 per day).

Mali

: 15.2% of the population are poor.

Unemployment 2022 (according to the World Bank)

Burkina Faso

: 5.2%

Niger

: 0.5%

Mali

: 2.8%

Trade (according to the World Bank)

Burkina Faso

Imports: $4.51 billion in 2021, according to the OEC Observatory for Economic Data.

Exports: $9.04 billion.

Most important exports: The mining industry in Burkina Faso has expanded in recent years, and has now become the most important sector in the economy. It includes gold (70% of total exports) and cotton (13%), and the remaining percentage is distributed among exports of zinc, phosphate rock, and livestock.

Burkina Faso's main export partners are: Singapore, Ivory Coast, Switzerland, France, China and Turkey.

Niger

Imports: $2.33 billion in 2021.

Exports: $3.78 billion.

Most important exports: Niger is the largest exporter of uranium in Africa (75% of the country’s total exports), and other commodities include gold, onions, beans, and meat.

France was the main export partner, accounting for 55% of the total, followed by the United States, Switzerland, Nigeria, and Ghana.

Financial

Imports: $4.56 billion, according to the OEC Monitor for Economic Data.

Exports: $9.38 billion.

Most important exports: The main export is gold (72% of total exports), and other exports include cotton, fertilizers, oil, and iron.

The main export partner is South Africa (60% of exports), and other export partners include: Switzerland, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Ivory Coast.

Source: Al Jazeera + agencies