BAMAKO, Mali
The military juntas in West African nations Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger jointly announced their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States on Sunday.
The juntas accused the
regional economic bloc of imposing inhumane sanctions aimed at reversing recent
coups in their respective countries.
The joint statement, broadcast
on state television in all three nations, asserted that the decision to
withdraw was made in complete sovereignty, alleging that ECOWAS had deviated
from the ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism after nearly 50
years of existence.
The juntas contended that
ECOWAS, influenced by foreign powers, had become a threat to its member states
and their populations.
ECOWAS, established in 1975 to
promote economic integration in member states, is considered West Africa's top
political and regional authority.
The bloc has faced challenges
in recent years as it strives to address coup incidents in the region and
ensure the equitable distribution of natural resources.
The juntas did not provide
details on how the withdrawal process would unfold, and neither has ECOWAS for
the time being.
The regional bloc, which
recognizes only democratic governments, has faced previous challenges to its
authority, with its regional court ruling last year that juntas lack the power
to act on behalf of their nations in place of elected governments.
This announcement follows a
series of events that heightened political tensions in West Africa, including a
coup in Niger last year. The three nations, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, have
recently formed a security alliance and severed military ties with France and
other European nations, turning to Russia for support.
The joint statement criticized
ECOWAS for failing to assist the countries in addressing
"existential" threats like terrorism, a common reason cited by their
militaries for the coups. The juntas argued that ECOWAS sanctions, instead of
improving their situations, have further weakened populations already affected
by years of violence. The development adds a new layer of complexity to the
evolving political landscape in West Africa.
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