Burkina, Mali, Niger Exit ECOWAS, Thousands Hit Streets to Cheer Decision | Firstpost Africa |N18G Thousands hit streets in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to back their junta regime’s formal exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc.

A government plain in the African nation of Mali to remove state support for Catholic schools could harm inter-religious dialogue in the Sahel country, according to a leading Catholic charity.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has initiated the post-exit dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which will determine the new relationship between the rest of the region with the trio.

Since Yevgeny Prigozhin’s 2023 betrayal, the Kremlin has been trying to supplant the Wagner group throughout the continent. In Mali, the Africa Corps – meant to take its place – is struggling to convince the authorities of its legitimacy.

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — A rebel alliance in Mali said Tuesday it has freed a Spanish man who was kidnapped in southern Algeria last week. The Azawad Liberation Front, or FLA, a coalition of separatist armed groups in Mali’s predominately Tuareg north, said on X that it freed Spanish citizen Gilbert Navarro.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger accused the bloc of having double standards in punishing their military juntas. Negotiations failed to change their minds.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have formally withdrawn from the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, the body said Wednesday.

Three countries under military rule have officially left West African regional bloc Ecowas, after more than a year of diplomatic tensions. The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger is a huge blow to Ecowas, which at 50 years old is considered Africa's most important regional group.

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, on Wednesday officially recognized the exit of three of its former members: Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic. The trio’s exit became effective on Wednesday,

The memberships of the three West African countries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have been formally withdrawn from the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), one year after the three junta-led nations jointly declared an intention to exit the regional bloc.