Political Tensions Disrupt Trade Routes In West Africa

On Wednesday, the junta-led governments of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso will formally exit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), after years of deteriorating ties that have reshaped trade channels throughout the segmented area.

The three countries’ military leaders severed their relations with ECOWAS and formed the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) after toppling civilian governments between 2020 and 2023.

Following the coups, ECOWAS introduced severe economic sanctions that strained diplomatic relations and compelled the juntas to find alternative means of bringing products into and out of the landlocked nations.

Before tensions deteriorated, 80 percent of Niger’s cargo travelled via Cotonou, a city in southern Benin that accommodates the closest port to Niamey.

The two neighbours, however, are currently at odds. ECOWAS sanctions have been lifted, but Niger still won’t open its border with Benin, which it claims is seeking to “destabilise” it and is harbouring jihadist bases. Ivory Coast has seen a similar situation, with road freight declining in the port of Abidjan during the first half of 2024.
An Ivorian transport ministry paper stated that this was “mainly due to the diplomatic crisis” between Ivory Coast and its junta-led allies in the Sahel.

In the meantime, Togo and Guinea have more amicable relations with the AES nations, which makes the ports of Lome and Conakry important transit hubs. Malian goods travelling via Conakry rose by 243 percent in 2022, when ECOWAS sanctions against Mali were at their worst.

The two neighbours, however, are currently at odds. ECOWAS sanctions have been lifted, but Niger still won’t open its border with Benin, which it claims is seeking to “destabilise” it and is harbouring jihadist bases. Ivory Coast has seen a similar situation, with road freight declining in the port of Abidjan during the first half of 2024. An Ivorian transport ministry paper stated that this was “mainly due to the diplomatic crisis” between Ivory Coast and its junta-led allies in the Sahel. In the meantime, Togo and Guinea have more amicable relations with the AES nations, which makes the ports of Lome and Conakry important transit hubs. Malian goods travelling via Conakry rose by 243 percent in 2022, when ECOWAS sanctions against Mali were at their worst.

At the height of ECOWAS sanctions against Mali in 2022, Malian freight passing through Conakry increased by 243 percent compared with the previous year, a port representative in Bamako told AFP. But the new trade routes come with fresh challenges.

Their break with ECOWAS is a “problem between states” and will not impact the supply of goods, said Ousmane Diouf, who sells jewellery and other products from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Malian fabric seller Mohamed Konate said he feared for the immediate future, noting that customs duties had increased in recent years. “There’s uncertainty on the horizon”, he said.