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Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has expressed concern over the security implications of the Alliance of Sahel States’ withdrawal from ECOWAS, warning that the move has disrupted existing regional security frameworks.
He also noted that Chad’s planned exit from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) could weaken the coalition’s ability to conduct counterterrorism operations effectively.

Speaking during a review meeting with Field Commanders in Abuja, Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted the evolving tactics of terrorist groups, particularly their use of drones modified to carry locally fabricated grenades in kamikaze-style attacks.

He referenced an incident in Damboa last year as a clear sign of their growing capability to integrate drone warfare into their operations. Given this development, he stressed the urgent need to deploy a comprehensive Counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (C-UAV) system to protect military personnel and critical air assets.

On January 29, 2025, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) formally acknowledged the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger following the completion of a one-year withdrawal notice period. Despite their departure, ECOWAS has urged its member states to continue recognizing the national passports of the three nations bearing the ECOWAS logo “in the spirit of regional solidarity” until further notice.

The withdrawal of the three junta-led nations has deepened divisions within the bloc, casting uncertainty over the future of ECOWAS.

The juntas, which formally announced their intention to leave in January 2024, justified their decision by accusing ECOWAS of being overly influenced by France.

They have since pivoted toward alliances with Russia, Turkey, and Iran, while establishing their own regional coalition, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

With the deadline for their exit now in effect, the fracture in West Africa’s regional security and political landscape is becoming more pronounced, raising concerns about the broader implications for stability in the region.