Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, three countries run by military regimes, announced on Sunday that they would leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with immediate effect. The announcement was made via a press release read on Nigerian television.
Published on: 01/28/2024 – 2:17 p.m. Modified on: 01/28/2024 – 2:42 p.m
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The military regimes ruling Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have decided to withdraw their countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a 15-member sub-regional organization, with immediate effect, they announced in a joint statement on Sunday, January 28 Press release.
The respective heads of state and government of the three Sahel states “assume their full responsibility in the face of history and respond to the expectations, concerns and longings of their people and decide with complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the economic system.” Community of West Africans States,” said the statement, which was read out in those countries’ state media.
The three countries, which face similar problems of insecurity, jihadism and poverty, have had strained relations with ECOWAS since the military's violent takeover there, in Mali in 2020, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Niger in 2023.
ECOWAS is trying to contain the attacks and push for civilians to return to power as quickly as possible. It imposed severe sanctions on Mali and Niger and even threatened to use force in that country. It suspended the three countries from its bodies.
With AFP
