Mali’s ECOWAS exit rallies support and sparks regional concerns

Demonstrators flooded the streets of Bamako on Thursday, rallying in support of the Malian junta’s decision to withdraw the country from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The protesters, predominantly young people and schoolchildren, brandished placards bearing slogans such as “Down with ECOWAS. Long live AES.” The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a newly formed organization including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, was highlighted as an alternative by the protesters. This move comes after months of escalating tensions between the three coup-affected nations and ECOWAS, reaching a boiling point with the sudden announcement of their withdrawal on Sunday.…