Media: Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso quit ECOWAS
Despite pressure from leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore constitutional rule, the leaders of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced today that they are leaving the organisation, Reuters reports
The organisation previously suspended the membership of three countries following military takeovers.
“In a joint statement, the countries said ECOWAS had moved away from the ideals of its ‘founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism’ and accused it of failing to help them fight Islamist insurgents and failing to provide security,” Reuters reports.
The organisation imposed a series of economic, political and financial sanctions against the three countries in an attempt to force them to return to constitutional order. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso called the restrictions illegal and inhumane.
