"Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso Withdraw from West African Bloc"
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), citing the bloc's failure to support their fight against terrorism and insecurity. The three countries, all plagued by Islamist insurgencies, accused ECOWAS of bowing to foreign powers and criticized the sanctions imposed on them as "illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible." This move deepens the rift between their military juntas and other West African states, escalating tensions following a series of military coups in the region.