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.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger accused the bloc of having double standards in punishing their military juntas. Negotiations failed to change their minds.

The memberships of the three West African countries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have been formally withdrawn from the 15-me

Officials and citizens gathered for a ceremony in the southwest town of Kangaba to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso's decision to quit regional bloc ECOWAS. The three junta-led nations formed their own regional trade group,

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) flag is pictured during an extraordinary summit of ECOWAS in Accra, Ghana March 25, 2022. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo LAGOS (Reuters) - The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday announced the formal exit of junta-led Mali,

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have formally withdrawn from the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, the body said Wednesday.

The junta-led West African nations of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have formally withdrawn from the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, the body said Wednesday, the culmination of a yearlong process during which the group tried to avert an unprecedented disintegration.