Ecowas: What changes as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger leave the West African bloc?

In a huge blow to Ecowas, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are leaving to forge ahead with their own group.

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The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger is a huge blow to Ecowas, which at 50 years old is considered Africa's most important regional group.

The split was sparked after the three departing countries refused Ecowas demands to restore diplomatic rule.

On Wednesday Ecowas said it would keep its "doors open" to Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, even though they have forged ahead with their own bloc, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES by its French acronym).

Ecowas - which stands for the Economic Community of West African States - was founded in 1975 in a bid to improve economic and political integration in West Africa.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yvd91j72eo

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