On January 29, 2025, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger officially announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS, sealing a rupture that began with the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in 2023. This decision reflects opposing visions of governance in West Africa: regional integration and democracy for ECOWAS, versus sovereigntism and bilateral alliances for the AES. This resource explores the historical dynamics, as well as the identity, economic, and geopolitical issues tied to this regional realignment.