Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger say they will allow free movement, as regional bloc meets to discuss their withdrawal.
Three West African states ruled by military leaders have announced visa-free travel and residency rights for citizens in the 15-member regional bloc Ecowas, ahead of the trio leaving the group.
Ecowas leaders are meeting in Nigeria to discuss the decision, with fears their withdrawal would be a major blow to regional unity and efforts to boost economic and security cooperation. After a ministerial-level meeting on Friday in Niger's capital, Niamey, the three states said in a joint statement that their decision was "irreversible".With their planned departure, the bloc will lose 76 million of its 446 million people and more than half its total geographical land area.
His statement was seen as a signal to Ecowas leaders that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger wanted to maintain good relations, despite quitting the bloc.
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