Burkina Faso, Mali, and Republic of Niger have left the Economic Commission of West African States.
In a joint communique, the three nations lamented how the commission has been under the influence of foreign actors.
This surprising decision was announced by the military heads of the three countries. They are Captain Ibrahim Traore, Colonel Assimi Golita, and Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani, of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali, and the Republic of Niger.
Recall that the military junta in these countries has been at loggerheads with the leadership of ECOWAS.
Reacting to the development, ECOWAS said it has yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three member states about their intention to withdraw from the community, despite drawing public attention to a statement broadcast on the National Television of Mali and Niger announcing the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS.