economic community

Indeed, this has already begun to happen: In February, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger left the Economic Community of West African States, known as Ecowas, in response to criticism from the group's civilian governments.

Top on their agenda is the recent decision by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to leave ECOWAS, or the Economic Community of West African States, over “inhumane sanctions”, an unprecedented development since the bloc was established in 1975, growing to become the region’s top political and economic authority.

The 15-nation regional bloc Economic Community of West African States was established in 1975 with one goal: “To promote co-operation and integration … in order to raise the living standards of its peoples, and to maintain and enhance economic stability.”

Military juntas who seized power in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso said that they were withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, because of sanctions the group imposed after the coups were carried out.

Military juntas in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso said they were withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, because of sanctions the group imposed in response to the coups that were carried out.