Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali not following exit rules, Ecowas says
Supporters of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) drive with flags as they celebrate Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger leaving the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) in Niamey, Niger on January 28, 2024. PHOTO | AFP
The West African regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) on Thursday said that junta-led Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso had failed to abide by the rules for quitting the bloc as regional ministers met to discuss departures that threaten decades of integration.
The three countries' self-appointed military leaders jointly announced on January 28 they were abandoning the political and economic bloc after it had pressured them to restore constitutional order following a string of coups.
