Three West African states officially exit bloc amid political shift
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso officially quit the West African bloc ECOWAS on January 29th, severing ties following a period of strained relations that have reshaped trade routes in the Sahel region, reported RFI.
The decision was first announced a year ago by the junta-led leadership of the three countries and is now taking legal effect.
The three states are strengthening their cooperation through the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and have announced plans to create a joint military force of 5,000 troops which they say will be used to fight terrorism.
RFI
