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“ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member state…” Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso said.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso last week announced they wanted nothing to do with the sub-regional bloc, ECOWAS, further deepening tensions between the bloc and countries currently led by juntas.
The 15-nation regional economic bloc was established in 1975, “To promote cooperation and integration … to raise the living standards of its peoples, and to maintain and enhance economic stability.”
Although created for economic reasons, the bloc has since gained political relevance, playing a key role in resolving political disputes in member countries with the latest being in Sierra Leone.
The trio said their exit was due to what they called illegal, illegitimate and inhumane sanctions. They added that ECOWAS has moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and Pan-Africanism.
