Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso Irrevocably Turn Backs on ECOWAS

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has expressed concerns over the potential disintegration of the region after three military-ruled countries - Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso - announced their intention to leave the bloc. The move comes after a series of coups between 2020 and 2023 led to the juntas coming into power in these countries. ECOWAS has warned that this development is a major blow to the 50-year-old organization.

The leaders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have announced their intention to distance themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc that has been critical of the military takeovers in these countries. The comments were made at the first summit of the Alliance of Sahel States, a new grouping formed by the three countries. Niger's ruling general stated that his country is "irrevocably turning its back" on ECOWAS and called for the new bloc to become a "community far removed from foreign powers". This move comes after each of these countries experienced military coups between 2020 and 2023, with all three now forming part of the Alliance of Sahel States. The leaders' decision is seen as a response to ECOWAS's criticism of their power grabs and its efforts to restore democracy in the region.