The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), made up of junta-led Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso, has announced a new 0.5 percent import duty on goods entering from Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member nations.
Okay.ng reports that the decision, which took effect on Friday, is the latest in a series of measures deepening the divide between the three military-led nations and ECOWAS, following their collective withdrawal from the bloc earlier this year.
Initially formed in 2023 as a security alliance in response to jihadist insurgencies, the AES has since evolved into a broader political and economic union, with ambitions of launching biometric passports, expanding military cooperation, and establishing a unified economic front.
In a joint statement, the AES said the newly imposed import levy is designed to raise revenue to support the operations and goals of the alliance. However, the measure exempts humanitarian aid.
The imposition of the levy undermines ECOWAS’s core principle of free trade across West African nations and could have far-reaching economic consequences. Experts warn that consumers across the region may face higher prices, while businesses may encounter supply chain disruptions and increased trade barriers.
Though the duty may offer short-term fiscal relief for the AES governments, analysts suggest it could further jeopardize regional integration, which ECOWAS has spent decades fostering.
Despite the deterioration in relations, ECOWAS has reiterated its commitment to diplomatic dialogue, stating it will keep communication channels open with the AES until July 2025, even after permanently expelling the three nations from the bloc earlier this year.
