Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have all withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with immediate effect. The three Sahel nations, which are all currently led by military juntas, have been a part of the regional bloc for 49 years. In a joint statement, the leaders of the three countries announced that leaving ECOWAS was a “sovereign decision” that would be carried out “without delay.” Source DW Africa
