Storyline: Many people in Niger have welcomed the country's departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), hoping the move can bring in better development. The memberships of the three West African countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger were formally withdrawn from ECOWAS on Jan 29. It is a historic exit from the bloc, founded in 1975 to promote economic integration in all economic activities, particularly industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, monetary and financial matters, and social and cultural affairs. Since Jan 28, rallies in support of the exit and the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have been seen in Niamey, Niger's capital. People are looking forward to what the new dynamic can bring to the region. In the streets of Niamey, the mood is upbeat with many residents expressing confidence in the AES to finally resolve the region's challenges that include the threat of violent extremism. However, many say they believe prosperity won't just come on its own, and that it will need very hard work and the right decisions at the right time. On Jan. 28, 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger jointly declared an intention to withdraw from ECOWAS in response to earlier sanctions imposed by the regional bloc to pressure the military juntas in those countries to return to constitutional order. Later, the three nations created the AES on July 6, 2024. Shotlist: Niamey, Niger - Jan 28-29, 2025: 1. Various of people gathering, waving flag of Niger; 2. SOUNDBITE (French, dubbed in English) Abdoulaye Seydou, civil society leader (starting with shot 1/partially overlaid with shot 3): "We want this event, which we initiated over a month ago, to be embraced by all stakeholders. They made it their own and supported us in this initiative. I think that we were [are] able to get across the message that this sovereign decision to leave ECOWAS was [is] well-founded, has legitimate reasons. It is a decision shared and assumed by the peoples of the ESA (AES). So it is truly a very satisfactory outcome for us from all points of view." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 3. People gathering; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 4. Various of pedestrians, traffic; 5. SOUNDBITE (French, dubbed in English) Soumaila Oumarou, Niamey resident (ending with shot 6-7): "We think that this is really a very good thing because it's as if the three countries of the ESA (AES) have mapped out their destiny. This is the place to devote all the necessary energy, all the necessary sacrifices to help these countries emerge because that's the objective. We are asking these three heads of state to create all the conditions for the ESA (AES) to flourish, because this is about getting down to work." 6. People gathering for ceremony; 7. Symbol for AES revealed; 8. Attendees taking group photos; 9. Symbol for AES; 10. SOUNDBITE (French, dubbed in English) Yahaya Idi Souleymane, Niamey resident (starting with shot 9/partially overlaid with shots 11-12): "This is a good thing. The three countries have responded to the letter of the aspirations of the peoples of the ESA countries. We have seen the limits of ECOWAS. ECOWAS is not there for the development of the African continent, but for the development of the West African sub-region. We are asking them to do everything possible to ensure the security of the ESA (AES), of the three ESA (AES) countries, and also to consider putting the emphasis on and having total financial independence." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 11. Liptako-Gourma square; 12. Symbol for AES; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 13. Various of traffic. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]