West African politicians convened in Ghana's capital Accra on Saturday to determine whether to reduce or tighten sanctions against junta-ruled Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is likely to determine whether to maintain, reduce, or eliminate punitive sanctions imposed on Mali in January after its military administration proclaimed its desire to rule for another five years.

Ghana's President Nana Akufo Ado began the summit, which was attended by the heads of state of the majority of the 15-member nations but lacked representation from the concerned countries: Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.

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He stated that "this present summit will re-examine and assess the situations in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso in light of recent developments within the region and global context."

"Our objective has always been to find ways to help these countries return to constitutional order," he claimed.

ECOWAS bodies are now suspended for Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Mali. While Mali has already been sanctioned, the other two nations face additional punitive measures from the EU after governing juntas in their respective capitals pledged to keep power for another three years.

In less than two years, West Africa has witnessed two military coups in Bamako, followed by Conakry in September and Ouagadougou in January.

ECOWAS has conducted meetings and increased pressure on the juntas to reduce their so-called transition periods before returning to a civilian administration in order to minimize the spread of political instability.

Colonel Assimi Goita of Mali, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya of Guinea, and Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba of Burkina Faso have all defied the pressure and been sworn in as presidents.

They point to the severity of domestic challenges ranging from Islamist insurgency to socioeconomic difficulties, claiming that they need time to reconstruct their states and hold elections.

According to a UN assessment released last week, West African sanctions have contributed to worsening living circumstances, particularly for the poor.

Mali, one of the world's most turbulent and destitute countries, is fighting a decade-long Islamist insurgency that began as a regional insurgency and extended to Niger and Burkina Faso.

In Guinea, the military deposed President Alpha Conde in September and promised a three-year transition to civilian governance.

Burkina Faso's government was deposed in January by dissatisfied colonels who deposed elected President Roch Marc Christian Kabore.