Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger simultaneously withdraw from ECOWAS amid tensions

The leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have issued statements saying that leaving ECOWAS "without delay" was a " sovereign decision", according to AFP.

Battling jihadist violence and poverty, the governments of the three countries have had strained relations with ECOWAS since coups in Niger in July 2023, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020.

A protester holds a sign reading "Down with ECOWAS" during a demonstration on January 14, 2022 in Mali's capital Bamako against sanctions imposed by ECOWAS on Mali and its military government.

Niger's military-appointed prime minister on January 25 criticized ECOWAS for "bad intentions" after the bloc largely shunned a planned meeting in Niamey, according to AFP.

Niger had hoped for an opportunity to talk to resolve differences with ECOWAS member states that have turned cold on Niamey, imposing heavy economic and financial sanctions after the coup that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum.

All three countries have been suspended by ECOWAS, while Niger and Mali face heavy sanctions. They have hardened their stance in recent months and joined forces to form the "Union of Sahel States".

France's withdrawal from the Sahel, a region along the Sahara desert in Africa, has raised concerns about conflicts spreading south to countries such as Ghana, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast, according to AFP.

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