NIAMEY, Niger — Military junta leaders from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso delivered a resolute stance on Saturday, firmly rejecting the prospect of rejoining the West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS. This declaration was made during their inaugural summit in Niamey, Niger's capital, following their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January, citing dissatisfaction with the bloc's efficacy in addressing regional challenges.

General Abdourahmane Tchiani of Niger, speaking on behalf of the trio, criticized ECOWAS, labeling it "a threat to our states." He underscored their commitment to bolster their own union, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), established last year amid strained relations with neighboring countries.

"We are establishing an AES rooted in the will of the people, unlike ECOWAS, which often operates under external influences," General Tchiani asserted, outlining their vision to prioritize regional sovereignty and self-determination.

The summit was held just ahead of an ECOWAS gathering in Nigeria, highlighting the deepening rift within the regional bloc. Analysts perceive these concurrent meetings as indicative of ECOWAS's internal divisions following the unprecedented departure of the three nations.

Karim Manuel, a Middle East and Africa affairs analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit, commented on the standoff, suggesting that despite mediation attempts led by Senegal and others, reconciliation within ECOWAS appears unlikely in the near term.

Since its inception in September last year, the Alliance of Sahel States has been championed by military leaders as a platform to forge new alliances, including with nations like Russia, and to reduce dependence on former colonial powers such as France, which they accuse of meddling in ECOWAS affairs.

Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso echoed these sentiments, condemning foreign interference and advocating for African sovereignty over natural resources and national policies.

"The era of Western dominance is over; our resources belong to us, and we will safeguard them for our people," Traoré affirmed, emphasizing a unified stance against external pressures.

Colonel Assimi Goïta of Mali, now leader of the alliance, emphasized solidarity among member states and detailed plans for a regional parliament and a banking institution similar to those operated by ECOWAS. The leaders also committed to pooling military resources to tackle escalating security threats within their borders.

Despite ECOWAS lifting sanctions related to the coups that prompted Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso's withdrawal, Omar Alieu Touray, president of the ECOWAS Commission, noted the absence of positive signals regarding their return to the bloc.

Criticism of ECOWAS extends beyond the junta-led nations, reflecting broader disillusionment among West African citizens who feel marginalized by their leaders' self-serving interests. Oge Onubogu, Director of the Africa Program at the Wilson Center in Washington, highlighted ECOWAS's perceived failure to represent the needs of the populace, contributing to public support for recent coups across the region.

As tensions simmer between ECOWAS and the dissenting nations, the future of regional cooperation and stability in West Africa remains uncertain, influenced by geopolitical shifts and competing visions of governance and sovereignty.