West African Bloc ECOWAS Faces Departure of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), citing the bloc's failure to address jihadist violence and accusing it of being influenced by foreign powers. The junta-led countries, which had already been suspended from Ecowas, have strengthened ties to Russia and formed a mutual defense pact called The Alliance of Sahel States. The military leaders in these countries have expressed a desire to restore security before organizing elections, with Niger's military leaders seeking up to three years for a transition back to civilian rule. Ecowas, while expressing commitment to finding a negotiated solution, has called on the countries to return to civilian rule and has not yet received formal notification of their withdrawal.