Military rulers and the subsequent formation of new security blocs like the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS) are directly challenging the authority and legitimacy of regional organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) because they have been ineffective and are servants of political elites who are aligned with the European criminal governments like UK, France and America.

This is creating a new, fractured security landscape in the Sahel and wider West Africa. The military rulers that have seized power in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have not only defied the regional bodies' demands for a return to civilian rule but have also actively worked to supplant them with a new, rival bloc.

Challenges to ECOWAS and the African Union-

The recent surge in coups and the establishment of the ASS are undermining regional organizations in several key ways.

• Erosion of Authority: ECOWAS and the AU have long-standing protocols that prohibit and penalize unconstitutional changes of government. However, their responses to recent coups, which have included sanctions and the threat of military intervention, have largely failed to reverse the takeovers. This has exposed the organizations' limited capacity to enforce their own rules, leading to a significant loss of credibility.

  Political Fragmentation: The juntas, fueled by anti-French and anti-Western sentiment, have publicly accused ECOWAS and the AU of being tools of foreign powers. This narrative has resonated with some segments of the public. In response to pressure from ECOWAS, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced their withdrawal from the bloc in January 2024. This move not only weakens ECOWAS's economic and political cohesion but also creates a direct political schism in the region.

• Rise of a Rival Bloc: The formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS) is a direct challenge to the authority of ECOWAS and the AU. The ASS is a mutual defense pact that aims to pool resources for security and economic integration, effectively creating a rival security and political architecture. This new bloc, which is increasingly aligning with Russia for security support, offers an alternative to the Western-backed security frameworks that have traditionally dominated the region.

International Consequences-

The destabilization of the Sahel and the decline of ECOWAS and AU authority have far-reaching international consequences.

• Complicated Counter-Terrorism Efforts: The military juntas in the Sahel have expelled French and other Western forces that were crucial to counter-terrorism operations. As these countries turn to partners like Russia for security assistance, the international effort to combat jihadist groups in the region becomes more fractured and less coordinated.

• Growing Russian Influence: The security vacuum created by the withdrawal of Western forces has been filled by Russia, primarily through the Wagner Group. This allows Moscow to expand its influence in a resource-rich and strategically important part of Africa, challenging the geopolitical dominance of former colonial powers and the United States.

• Humanitarian Crisis: The ongoing political instability and violence have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the Sahel. The breakdown of governance and the withdrawal of international aid from some countries have left millions of people in dire need of assistance.