"Nigeria Criticizes Coup-Hit Nations' Exit from ECOWAS, Threatening Regional Trade"

Nigeria rebukes Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger for leaving Ecowas, accusing their military rulers of denying their people the right to make fundamental choices. The three countries had been suspended from Ecowas after recent coups and have strengthened ties to Russia, forming a mutual defence pact called the Alliance of Sahel States. They criticize Ecowas for failing to help tackle jihadist violence and accuse the organization of being influenced by external powers. Nigeria, the largest Ecowas member, remains willing to engage with the departing countries, while Russia seeks to forge new alliances in Africa amidst condemnation for its actions in Ukraine.