By Ayodele Oni
The three West African countries now under military regime, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have announced their immediate withdrawal from the West African bloc, ECOWAS.
The leaders of the three Sahel nations issued a statement on Sunday, saying it was a “sovereign decision” to leave the Economic Community of West African States “without delay”.
Since the forceful overthrown of democratically elected regimes in those countries, coupled with jihadist violence and poverty, the regimes have had tense ties with ECOWAS.
Military seized power in Niger last year July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020.
All three were suspended from ECOWAS with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions.
They have hardened their positions in recent months and joined forces in an “Alliance of Sahel States”.
The prime minister appointed by Niger’s military regime on Thursday blasted ECOWAS for “bad faith” after the bloc shunned a planned meeting in Niamey.
Niger had hoped for an opportunity to talk over differences with fellow states of ECOWAS, over imposition of heavy economic and financial sanctions, following the military coup that overthrew elected president Mohamed Bazoum.
