MALI, BURKINA FASO, NIGER IMPOSE 0.5% LEVY ON IMPORTED GOODS
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West African nations Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have introduced a 0.5% levy on imported goods to support their newly formed three-state union.
The Alliance of Sahel States, initially established in 2023 as a security pact, is evolving into an economic bloc with plans for biometric passports and strengthened economic and military ties.
According to an official statement, the levy, agreed upon on Friday, takes immediate effect. It applies to all imported goods except humanitarian aid.
This move disrupts free trade within West Africa under ECOWAS and underscores growing tensions between the Sahel states and regional powers like Nigeria and Ghana.
The three juntas, which seized power through coups, withdrew from ECOWAS after accusing it of failing to curb Islamist insurgencies. In response, ECOWAS imposed sanctions, but they had little impact.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger remain among the world’s poorest countries, struggling with jihadist violence linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, which has displaced millions and weakened trust in elected governments.
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