Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the military-led nations forming the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS), have introduced a 0.5% import levy on goods originating from Nigeria and other member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This move, outlined in an official statement, aims to fund the ASS following their withdrawal from the regional economic bloc.
The statement specified that the levy will apply to all imported goods, excluding humanitarian aid, and will be used to finance the activities of the newly formed union.
This decision marks a significant departure from decades of ECOWAS-facilitated free trade across the region, signalling a deepening divide between the Sahelian states and economic powerhouses like Nigeria and Ghana.
Initially established as a security pact, the ASS has expanded its scope to encompass economic and political cooperation, including plans for joint military ventures and a common biometric passport.
The three nations, which experienced military coups in 2023, justified their withdrawal from ECOWAS by accusing the bloc of failing to adequately address widespread insecurity and Islamist insurgencies.
ECOWAS responded to the withdrawals by imposing economic and political sanctions, seeking to pressure the Sahel nations into restoring democratic governance.
However, the ASS members have remained defiant, forming a united front against regional diplomatic efforts spearheaded by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
Recent diplomatic efforts, including those led by Ghanaian President John Mahama, have failed to reintegrate the Sahel states into ECOWAS.
The imposition of the 0.5% import levy is expected to further escalate tensions, potentially reshaping trade dynamics and political alliances across West Africa.
The move indicates a significant shift in regional power dynamics and poses challenges to the stability of the ECOWAS trade region.
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