Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso officially leave ECOWAS

The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has formally recognized the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, marking a significant shift in regional diplomacy. After coming into power, the juntas in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, in late 2023, created their own security partnership known as the Alliance of Sahel States. It’s the first time in the bloc’s half-century of existence that any members have withdrawn in such a manner.