ECOWAS is set to hold an extraordinary meeting on April 22 to discuss the recent 0.5 percent import levy introduced by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
The new levy, which took effect on March 28, applies to all goods entering these countries from ECOWAS members, excluding humanitarian aid.
Joel Ahofodji, Head of Communication for the ECOWAS Commission, confirmed the meeting, stating, “ECOWAS will have an Extraordinary Council on the 22nd of April. All these issues will be discussed.”
The move by AES is seen as a challenge to ECOWAS’s goal of promoting free trade within the region, especially after the AES nations’ exit from the regional bloc in January 2025.
The import duty contradicts the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, which supports duty-free and quota-free trade among member nations. The imposition of this tariff could disrupt regional supply chains and inflate prices in the AES countries.
The strained relationship between ECOWAS and the three countries intensified after they left the bloc, accusing ECOWAS of not supporting them in their fight against terrorism.
Despite efforts to maintain duty-free trade, ECOWAS faces significant challenges in managing this trade barrier introduced by the AES.
Ahofodji added that ECOWAS remains open to discussions if the AES countries decide to rejoin the bloc in the future, signaling a potential path forward in resolving the ongoing tensions.