By Omar Bah
Three West African junta-led states, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, said on Sunday they are immediately leaving the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This regional economic bloc has been urging them to return to democratic rule. This move is a setback for the bloc’s regional integration efforts as it had suspended the three countries after the military takeovers.
The military leaders have not been able to provide a clear timetable for returning their nations to constitutional rule despite negotiations, sanctions, and threats of intervention. Instead, they have accused the bloc of being influenced by external powers and severed ties with France while turning to Russia for security support.
ECOWAS has stated that it has yet to receive any formal notification from the three countries about their intention to withdraw from the community. Nonetheless, the bloc remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.
