Three countries under military rule have officially left West African regional bloc Ecowas, after more than a year of diplomatic tensions. The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger is a huge blow to Ecowas,

Junta-led countries Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso officially left West Africa's main political and trade group ECOWAS on Wednesday after more than a year of diplomatic tensions. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have now formed their own confederation,

The Sahel countries announced their exit plans in 2024 after they accused the body of being influenced by former colonial powers. The military governments formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and announced plans to create a joint military force of 5,