The three military regimes countries has announced their immediate withdrawal from the West African bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), saying the body had become a threat to its members.
Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali “decide in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal” from the ECOWAS in a joint statement released on Sunday.
The leaders of the three Sahel nations added that the 15-member ECOWAS “under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its population.”
They also accused the regional body of failing to support their fight against “terrorism and insecurity”, while imposing “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions”.
Recall that after Niger Coup dethroned President Mohamed Bazoum, ECOWAS issued a seven-day ultimatum to the military to restore the president or risk sanctions, including possible military action.
Reacting to the report, ECOWAS in a statement said it was yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three military regimes countries about their intention to quit the regional bloc.
The statement read: “The attention of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) has been drawn to a statement broadcast on the National Televisions of Mali and Niger announcing the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS.
“The ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three Member States about their intention to withdraw from the Community.
The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves,” the body added.
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