Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: For the first time, Prime Minister Netanyahu is signaling that he wants to end the war on Gaza
Israeli Channel 12, citing an American source: We want to have entered a path toward captive release and a ceasefire before Netanyahu arrives in Washington
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One martyr and two injured in the Israeli airstrike that targeted a motorcycle in the town of Mahrouna
Al Mayadeen correspondent to Southern Lebanon: An Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle between the towns of Jwayya and Mahrouna.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One martyred in the Israeli drone strike on a car in the town of Kawnin
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone targets a car in the town of Kawnin
Naeini: If our national interests are attacked again, our response this time will be stronger and more destructive
Naeini: The war has proven that the settlers are defenseless against Iranian missile and drone forces
Naeini: Trump lacks an understanding of the true strength of the Iranian people and is so deluded as to believe he can change the reality of Iran's victory
Naeini: The defeat led to Trump's confusion and loss of balance, which was reflected in his ill-considered statements

ECOWAS leaders meet as military rulers vow to quit bloc

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 15 Dec 2024 20:20
3 Min Read

West African leaders from ECOWAS met in Abuja on December 15, 2024, as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger confirmed their decision to leave the regional bloc.

Listen
  • x
  • W.Africa bloc meets as military rulers vow to quit
    Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu poses for a group photo with other West African leaders before the start of the ECOWAS meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, on December 15, 2024. (AP)

West African leaders from the regional ECOWAS convened on Sunday for a meeting with three member countries governed by military administrations on the verge of leaving the bloc.

Before the Economic Community of West African States conference, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger confirmed as "irreversible" their decision to leave the group a year ago, accusing it of being submissive to ex-colonizer France.

The impending exit of the three Sahel states might have a significant influence on free commerce and travel, as well as security cooperation.

Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was selected as a mediator with the breakaway states by the 15-member ECOWAS in July, will attend the conference in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.

Faye stated last week that he was "making progress" in negotiations with the three and that there was no reason for them not to maintain relations, particularly given the security situation.

Involved in mediation efforts has also been Togo's President, Faure Gnassingbe.

Related News

Nigeria army base attack leaves 17 soldiers killed in ambush

Nigeria to commission two Chinese-backed lithium processing plants

"While the impending exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS is disheartening, we commend the ongoing mediation efforts," ECOWAS commission president Omar Touray stated at the summit's beginning.

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger's withdrawal will take effect next month, one year after their first statement, in January 2024, according to the bloc's laws.

After cutting relations with France and turning their attention to Russia, the three governments created their own confederation, the Alliance of Sahel governments (AES).

The three breakaways did not declare intentions to attend the Abuja conference, but they did have a separate ministerial-level meeting in Niamey, Niger's capital, on Friday.

"The ministers reiterate the irreversible decision to withdraw from ECOWAS and are committed to pursuing a process of reflection on the means of exiting in the best interests of their peoples," according to a joint statement.

The three countries have all seen military coups and Islamist insurgencies in recent years. Guinea, an ECOWAS member, also has a military administration in place following a coup in 2021.

Tensions with ECOWAS escalated after the July 2023 coup in Niger, which led to threats of military intervention and heavy sanctions. However, ECOWAS has since eased its stance, with member states divided on how to address military regimes.

In March, some sanctions on Niger were lifted to encourage dialogue, especially regarding the ousted President Bazoum. Meanwhile, Guinea's military leaders, under pressure from ECOWAS, had initially pledged to hold elections by the end of 2024 but have now reneged on that promise.

  • Nigeria
  • West Africa
  • Chad
  • Burkina Faso
  • ECOWAS
  • France

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iranian worshippers carry their country's flags in a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli occupation soldiers search for settlers amid the rubble of buildings destroyed by an Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam, central occupied Palestine, on Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran missile strike flattens Bat Yam, displaces 2,000 settlers

Palestinian fighters from the Islamic Jihad militant group riding on a truck with weaponry on display take part in an anti-Israel parade marking the 36th anniversary of the movement's founding, in Gaza City, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian Resistance attacks Israeli forces in Khan Younis, Jabalia

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stands waiting to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran suspends IAEA cooperation, Araghchi blames Grossi for attacks

The commander of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit, Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi (Illustrated by Mahdi Rtail for Al Mayadeen English)
Politics

Who was Mohammad Said Izadi, head of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit?

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS