Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso withdraw from ECOWAS
The governments of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, citing threat from the regional body.
In a joint statement read out on Niger’s national television, the three countries said it was a “sovereign decision” to leave the West African bloc “without delay.”
All three, founding members of the bloc in 1975, were suspended from ECOWAS following coups, and relations between them and the regional bloc have deteriorated for months.
However, according to the bloc’s treaty, member states wishing to withdraw must give a written one-year notice. It is unclear for now if the three sahelian states have done so. The treaty says they must continue to abide by its provisions during the year-long period.
