The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) withdraws from ECOWAS and continues initiatives for independence, regional integration, and defensive cooperation.

The official departure from the West African body on Tuesday comes after Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali last year formed their own alliance, the Confederation of Sahel States.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso were to officially quit the West African bloc Ecowas Wednesday, severing ties after years of strained relations that have reshaped trade routes in the Sahel.

A joint force of 5,000 troops from military-led neighbours Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali will soon deploy in their troubled central Sahel region, Niger's defence chief said on state television.

The military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have posed a major challenge to the bloc’s unity, refusing to heed its call for a transition to civilian rule.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have officially left West Africa’s main political and trade group ECOWAS after more than a year of diplomatic tension.

The Sahel states of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, are officially leaving the regional economic bloc ECOWAS on Wednesday, after 50 years.The withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States,

The four were transporting electrical equipment from Casablanca to Niamey, the capital city of ... recently expanded their activities in the Sahel, which has been upended by military coups in ...

ECOWAS had given Burkina Faso Mali and Niger until July to reconsider the move but they said their departure was irreversible Burkina F

The three Sahelian countries teamed up to form a confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) as they exit ECOWAS Wednesday.

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Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso's withdrawal from ECOWAS marks a significant shift in West African politics and trade relations.