The Emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States and Its Implications for Regional Integration in West Africa

Abstract

The paper examined the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and its implications for regional integration in West Africa. The theoretical framework adopted was the regional security complex theory. Secondary data such as scholarly literature, academic journals, official documents and media reports were used as sources of data and content analysis was used to analyze them. The findings showed that the formation of AES was caused by several factors, such as the re-emergence of military coups in the Sahel, discontent with ECOWAS sanctions and diplomatic policies, the increasing security threats of terrorism and insurgency, anti-Western sentiments, survival of regimes, external geopolitical realignments, and internal economic pressures. Implication wise, the paper established that the establishment of AES presents a significant challenge to regional integration in West Africa by disintegrating political unity, eroding ECOWAS institutional power and establishing rival security institutions in the sub-region. The exit of the AES member states also poses a threat to the economic cooperation programs including the trade liberalization and free movement agreement of ECOWAS. This paper concluded that the future of West African regional integration would be greatly dependent on how the member states of the ECOWAS and AES are able to balance their sovereignty issues and the need to work collectively. Among the recommendations presented in the paper are diplomatic discussions with the member states of AES, enhancing regional security systems and reinforcing economic systems, including the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme.