Three countries in West Africa - Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, governed by military councils, officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The decision was made after a two-day summit of the leaders of the member states in Niamey, the capital of Niger.
According to the statement by the Nigerien Minister of Foreign Affairs, this decision was prompted by the aspiration of these countries to "continue their obligations in the direction of self-determination." These three countries have been temporarily excluded from participating in the work of ECOWAS after the coups that overthrew the regimes in Mali and Burkina Faso, as well as after the military coup in Niger.
"We are leaving, but not far; we remain in West Africa, and our fate is closely intertwined with this region," the minister emphasized.
