Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced a new 0.5% tax on imported goods to finance their emerging economic and security alliance following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

According to a statement released by the three nations, the tax was agreed upon on Friday and will take effect immediately. It applies to all imported products from outside the bloc, with the exception of humanitarian aid. The revenue generated will be used to “fund the activities” of the newly formed alliance, though further details were not provided.

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) was initially established in 2023 as a security pact between the military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Since its inception, the alliance has expanded its focus to economic and military cooperation, with plans to introduce a shared biometric passport and closer economic integration.

This move signals a formal break from ECOWAS, which has historically facilitated free trade across West Africa. The decision underscores growing divisions between the three Sahelian nations and larger democracies like Nigeria and Ghana.

Tensions With ECOWAS and the Ongoing Security Crisis

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger recently exited ECOWAS, citing the bloc’s failure to effectively support them in their fight against armed insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and Daesh. The three countries have been among the worst affected by terrorism in recent years, with thousands killed and millions displaced due to persistent violence.

ECOWAS had imposed economic, political, and financial sanctions on the nations in an attempt to pressure them into restoring constitutional governance, but the measures have had little impact on their leadership.

The introduction of the import tax is the latest indication that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are determined to forge an independent path, both economically and politically, as they seek to strengthen their alliance in the face of ongoing security challenges.