Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger accused a regional bloc known as ECOWAS of having double standards in punishing their military juntas. Negotiations failed to change their minds.

Following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, ECOWAS outlined four key measures to maintain regional cooperation and minimize disruptionsCitizens of the three nations can still travel visa-free within ECOWAS,

In response, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso announced their exit last January and accused ECOWAS of failing to safeguard member states and of aligning too closely with foreign powers.

Thousands of people rallied Tuesday in Niger and Burkina Faso in support of the withdrawal of their countries from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, which is due to take effect today.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger on Wednesday formally withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc. The military-led governments in the three West African nations decided to withdraw from the bloc, and formed their own security alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States, in September 2023.

Amid a decade-long push by African countries to abolish colonial-era wigs in judicial systems, posts have surfaced online claiming Burkina Faso’s President Captain Ibrahim Traore has officially banned the headwear.

Thousands of people rallied in junta-led Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali on Tuesday to back their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States regional bloc, due to take

This will happen on Wednesday, all three countries having ignored ECOWAS's call to extend the period by six months to try to find a solution.

Across Burkina Faso, thousands gathered on Tuesday to celebrate one year since the country withdrew from ECOWAS.

Across the West African Economic and Monetary Union, governments are tightening mining regulations to boost revenue for development. But as Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Burkina Faso push reforms, investor confidence and regulatory stability are at risk.

Danso, security and international relations expert, says the exit of three junta-led states from the West Africa