Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have announced they are leaving the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas). The junta-led countries had already been suspended from the bloc, which has been urging them to return to democratic rule. The three governments said it was a "sovereign decision" to withdraw from Ecowas. They were also founding members of the bloc, first established in 1975.

In a joint statement - that was read out on state broadcasters in the three countries - they said Ecowas had “drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism."

It goes on to say that Ecowas "under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to member states and peoples," adding that the bloc had failed to help them tackle the jihadist violence in their countries.

Relations between the bloc and the three countries have been tense after military coups took place in Niger in July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020. Ecowas has called on all three countries to return to civilian rule. And in a response to Sunday's announcement it said the three countries were "important members of the Community" and the bloc "remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse".

Meanwhile, a Ghanaian International diplomat Dr. Vladimir Antwi Danso who is dean and director of academic affairs at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) in Accra says the situation was dicey and demanded tacit approach by ECOWAS to ensure the three members of ECOWAS are brought back.

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