The junta-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have slammed 0.5% import levy on goods entering their territories.
This measure, which took immediate effect following a joint statement issued on Monday, applies to all goods imported from outside the three nations, with the sole exception of humanitarian aid.
Also, the levy will affect imports from Nigeria and other member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), heralding a formal disruption of free trade within the West African hub.
“This levy will fund the activities of the new bloc,” the statement read, though no further details were given.
The decision marks the end of free trade across West Africa, which has originally been governed under the ECOWAS framework.
Moreover, it highlights the growing divide between the three Sahara-bordering countries and the more influential West African democracies, such as Nigeria and Ghana.
The three nations, each led by military juntas that took control of power in recent coups in 2023, had previously formed the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS) as a security pact following their exit from ECOWAS.
Over time, the alliance has evolved into an aspiration for economic integration, including plans for deeper military and financial cooperation, such as the introduction of biometric passports.
Last year, the three countries left ECOWAS, citing the bloc’s insufficient support in combating Islamist insurgencies and addressing rising insecurity within their borders.
In response, ECOWAS imposed a series of economic, political, and financial sanctions on the trio in an attempt to pressure them back into constitutional order.
However, these sanctions have had little impact.
The three nations have remained steadfast in resisting efforts by ECOWAS, led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, to reintegrate them into the bloc.
