Over the past few years, the the Central Sahel has experienced a series of military coups that have reshaped governance and regional politics across West Africa. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have all undergone military transitions that triggered strong reactions from regional bodies, particularly ECOWAS. These responses have included sanctions, suspensions, diplomatic engagement, and mediation efforts aimed at restoring constitutional order. However, these measures have sparked intense debate. While some argue that ECOWAS must defend democracy and constitutional governance, others believe that these interventions have not addressed the deeper governance and security failures that fuel instability. At the same time, the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and the withdrawal of