Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso say they are severing ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The three West African countries announced their decision to pull out of the regional economic bloc in a joint statement on Sunday.
They criticised ECOWAS over the sanctions imposed on them as part of efforts to reverse the coups in their countries.
“After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism,” the statement read in part.
More to follow…
