Three junta-led nations have left the regional economic bloc ECOWAS, citing alleged French influence on the group. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are increasingly turning to Russia as an ally.

Officials and citizens gathered for a ceremony in the southwest town of Kangaba to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso's decision to quit regional bloc ECOWAS. The three junta-led nations formed their own regional trade group,

The ECOWAS bloc has offered some concessions to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger following their exit from the union ・ECOWAS granted concessions to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger following their exit from the union ・The bloc emphasized its open-door policy for continued engagement with the three countries ・ECOWAS instructed member states to recognize

Junta-led countries Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso officially left West Africa's main political and trade group ECOWAS on Wednesday after more than a year of diplomatic tensions. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have now formed their own confederation,

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 withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is "a blow to ECOWAS and I would say beyond that a blow to regional integration in West Africa,