Tensions with ECOWAS spiked after the group threatened a military intervention over a July 2023 coup in Niger.
ABUJA - West African leaders from the regional group ECOWAS met on Sunday for a summit with three nation members led by military governments on the brink of quitting the bloc.Before the Economic Community of West African States meeting, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger reaffirmed as"irreversible" their decision a year ago to quit the group, which they condemned as subservient to ex-colonial ruler France.
Faye said last week he was"making progress" in talks with the three and said there was no reason for them not to maintain relations, especially given the security situation.“While the impending exit of Burkina, Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS is disheartening, we commend the ongoing mediation efforts," ECOWAS commission president Omar Touray said at the opening of the summit.
The three breakaways did not announce plans to attend the Abuja summit, but they held a separate ministerial-level meeting Friday in Niger's capital, Niamey. That position has since softened, though ECOWAS states are split over the best course of action to deal with the military governments.
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