Burkina Faso Celebrates One Year Since ECOWAS Withdrawal
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Burkina Faso Celebrates One Year Since ECOWAS Withdrawal

Thousands gathered in Ouagadougou and across Burkina Faso on January 28, 2024, to mark the first anniversary of the country’s withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and to celebrate the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The event in Ouagadougou was attended by key political figures, including Prime Minister Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo.

The official launch of the AES was highlighted by a meeting where citizens expressed their support for the union of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which collectively left ECOWAS the previous year. Proposer Simporé, mobilization officer for the Citizen Watch Coalition, emphasized that the people of Burkina Faso were demonstrating their dedication to the three Presidents of the AES. “We are mobilizing everywhere to show our commitment to those who are working tirelessly for the well-being of our nations,” Simporé stated.

Demonstrations were held across the country, with participants waving placards reading “Down with ECOWAS” and “Down with France,” while chanting “Long live AES.” The protestors celebrated their departure from ECOWAS, expressing their strong opposition to the organization and to foreign influence, particularly from France. The rally was accompanied by the loud sounds of vuvuzelas and whistles, marking a day of national pride and defiance.

Barnbé Somda, a member of the Citizen’s Watch Coalition, underscored the firm stance against returning to ECOWAS, stating, “We have made our decision, and we are proud of it. There is no turning back. We will carry this forward to the end.”

In addition to the street protests, a special ceremony was organized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the flags of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger were raised in solidarity. Prime Minister Ouédraogo addressed the crowd, declaring that the efforts to intimidate their nations had failed. He said, “ECOWAS is a symbol of our enslavement, and on January 28, 2024, we severed that chain. We are committed to cutting all the strings that bind us.”

The anniversary celebrations come after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger officially severed ties with ECOWAS on January 28, 2024, and went on to form the AES Confederation in July 2024. The event marks a significant political shift in the region as these three nations continue to pursue their own path away from the influence of regional and foreign powers.

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