A summit of West African leaders commenced following the formation of a new alliance by the military rulers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which resulted in the severing of ties with ECOWAS. The ECOWAS summit, situated in Abuja, Nigeria, was initiated after numerous West African leaders advocated for renewed dialogues with the three coup-affected Sahel countries that recently endorsed a defense pact in Niamey, Niger. The pact, known as the Alliance of Sahel States, was announced by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in September to enhance cooperation in circumstances of armed rebellion or external aggression. The trio withdrew from ECOWAS in January due to the regional bloc’s firm stance against the coups. Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris highlighted that the Sahel alliance's recent announcement was strategically timed to demonstrate the self-sufficiency of the three nations without ECOWAS support. However, concerns persist that Mali and Niger may encounter difficulties if all ECOWAS member countries opt to isolate the two landlocked nations. The military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are actively seeking global backing, signaling the need for ECOWAS to navigate complex challenges to reconcile with the breakaway countries. General Abdourahamane Tchiani of Niger, during the summit, criticized ECOWAS as a 50-year-old institution posing a threat to their states and emphasized the three countries' objective to establish an alliance free from external influences. While ECOWAS had lifted sanctions on Niger to improve relations, minimal progress has been achieved since the sanctions were imposed following Tchiani's ascension to power after the July 2023 coup. The political landscape in the Sahel region, inclining towards an alliance with Russia, has prompted the United States to finalize the withdrawal of troops from Niger, aimed at combatting militant groups aligned with al-Qaeda and ISIS. The departure of about 1,000 US military personnel from Niger’s Air Base 101 marks the shifting dynamics in the region, as tensions with Western powers, notably France, continue to escalate post the coups. The armed groups, amidst the political turmoil, remain a significant threat in the region, requiring continued support from neighboring countries. Security expert Kabir Adamu highlighted the risks of operating independently and isolating ECOWAS or Sahel nations, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to combat armed groups and ensure regional security.