Faith Nyasuguta
Tensions between the military-led Sahel alliance and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have escalated further after Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger imposed a 0.5% import duty on goods from ECOWAS nations.
This move signals a sharp break from the long-standing tradition of free trade across West Africa and highlights the widening political and economic divide between the Sahel junta bloc and democratic ECOWAS member states such as Nigeria and Ghana.
The new import levy, which takes effect immediately, applies to all goods from ECOWAS nations except for humanitarian aid. According to the Sahel alliance, the tax is intended to generate revenue to support their activities, although specific details on how the funds will be used remain unclear.
For decades, ECOWAS has promoted regional integration and free trade among its 15 member states, allowing goods, services, and people to move across borders with minimal restrictions. However, this new duty effectively marks the end of that economic arrangement for the three Sahel nations, which have been distancing themselves from ECOWAS since their military takeovers.
Following coups in Mali (2020 and 2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023), ECOWAS responded with sanctions aimed at pressuring the juntas to restore civilian rule. The sanctions strained relations between the two sides, prompting the Sahel nations to withdraw from ECOWAS in early 2024 and work toward forming their own regional economic and military bloc, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
This latest economic measure further cements the split. By introducing a tariff on ECOWAS imports, the Sahel alliance is not only retaliating against past sanctions but also signaling its determination to function independently from the bloc.
The economic consequences of this decision could be significant. The new import duty could lead to higher food prices due to supply disruptions from key agricultural producers like Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire, increased construction costs due to potential shortages of imported cement and building materials, and higher logistics costs, making essential imports more expensive and worsening inflation.
While the new tax may provide short-term revenue for the junta-led governments, analysts warn that it risks deepening economic challenges in the long run. The move could also discourage investment and trade with the Sahel nations, further isolating them economically.
Beyond economic measures, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have been taking steps to consolidate their separation from ECOWAS and enhance their independence. They have introduced a new biometric passport exclusive to AES members, expelled Western military forces, and deepened military ties with Russia.
By imposing this import duty, the Sahel states are reinforcing their pivot away from ECOWAS, but at the potential cost of regional stability. Diplomatic efforts will be crucial in preventing further economic fragmentation, as prolonged trade disruptions could have far-reaching consequences for West Africa’s already fragile economies.
For now, the introduction of the 0.5% import levy marks another chapter in the deteriorating relationship between the Sahel alliance and ECOWAS.
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