Ecowas: Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso quit West African bloc - BBC News

The three junta-led countries were suspended from the bloc amid calls to return to democratic rule.

20 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersBy Vicky WongBBC NewsNiger, Mali and Burkina Faso have announced they are leaving the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).

The junta-led countries had already been suspended from the bloc, which has been urging them to return to democratic rule.

The three governments said it was a "sovereign decision" to withdraw from Ecowas.

They were also founding members of the bloc, first established in 1975.

In a joint statement - that was read out on state broadcasters in the three countries - they said Ecowas had " drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-68122947?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

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