The Nigerien military leadership, now three years in power since the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum, continues to face strained relations with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The regional bloc had swiftly condemned the coup and imposed sanctions, escalating tensions further.
ECOWAS’s ultimatum in 2023 was perceived as a declaration of war not only by Niger but also by neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali—two countries under military rule at the time. This collective stance complicated Niger’s isolation in its dispute with ECOWAS, as the three nations later formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), marking a definitive break from the regional organization. Their withdrawal from ECOWAS became official by January 2025, yet dialogue between the two sides persists.