The Smartest Investors Club
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Investing
  • World
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Investing
  • World

The Smartest Investors Club

World

ECOWAS pledges to ‘keep door open’ after 3 coup-hit West African nations exit regional bloc

by January 29, 2025
January 29, 2025
ECOWAS pledges to ‘keep door open’ after 3 coup-hit West African nations exit regional bloc

The junta-led West African nations of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have formally withdrawn from the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, the body said Wednesday.

The previously announced withdrawal, which marks the culmination of a yearlong process during which the group tried to avert an unprecedented disintegration, “has become effective today,” ECOWAS said in a statement.

The bloc, however, said that it has also decided to “keep ECOWAS’ doors open,” and requested member nations to continue to accord the trio their membership privileges, including free movement within the region with an ECOWAS passport.

ECOWAS president Omar Alieu Touray told reporters in Nigeria’s capital Abuja that despite the split, the bloc hopes to still collaborate with the countries in tackling some of the region’s challenges, including the deadly extremist violence ripping through the region.

The split “worsens a legitimacy crisis of ECOWAS which has often failed people’s expectations in upholding the rule of law,” said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

“That the three poorest member states decided to leave the bloc makes ECOWAS in the eyes of its citizens look even more like a loser in this conflict,” he said.

Widely seen as West Africa’s leading political and regional authority, the 15-nation ECOWAS was formed in 1975 to “promote economic integration” in member states. It has struggled in recent years to reverse coups in the region where citizens have complained of not benefitting from rich natural resources.

The bloc has since grown to become the region’s top political authority, often collaborating with states to solve domestic challenges on various fronts from politics to economics and security.

In parts of West Africa, however, ECOWAS has lost its effectiveness and support among citizens, who see it as representing only the interests of the leaders and not that of the masses, said Oge Onubogu, director of the Africa Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center think tank.

After coming into power, the juntas in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced that they were leaving ECOWAS. They then created their own security partnership known as the Alliance of Sahel States, severed military ties with longstanding Western partners such as U.S. and France, and turned to Russia for military support.

It’s the first time in the bloc’s half-century of existence that its members have withdrawn in such a manner. Analysts say it’s an unprecedented blow to the group that could threaten efforts to return democracy and help stabilize the increasingly fragile region.

ECOWAS said that its members were also required to treat goods and services coming from the three countries in accordance with ECOWAS regulations and provide full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the countries during their assignments.

This post appeared first on cnn.com
0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Pug life: A South African woman has rescued more than 2,500 of the lovable ‘clowns of the dog world’
next post
‘What a jacka–‘: Conservatives hammer Dem senator’s ‘droning monologue’ during RFK Jr hearing

You may also like

Woman killed by malfunctioning ottoman bed

South Korean prosecutors detain ex-defense chief over martial...

Rats and mice swarm trenches in Ukraine in...

British man killed in Kenya after being knocked...

Trump says China ‘operates’ the Panama Canal –...

5 jailed for murdering Ecuadorian presidential candidate

Fire erupts at oil depot in St. Petersburg

Nearly 47 child migrants a day vanished in...

Israeli cabinet sanctions country’s oldest newspaper over critical...

Israel has resumed the war in Gaza. Why...

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Latest

    • ‘A fear campaign.’ Students around the world are shocked, scared and saddened...

    • North Korea deploys mystery balloon-like objects to stricken warship, satellite photos show

    • NVIDIA Rallies After Strong Q1, AI Demand Outshines China Export Hit

    • US senators meet with Zelensky in Kyiv as doubt cast over upcoming Ukraine-Russia peace talks

    • Israel’s plan to ‘conquer’ Gaza is leaving Palestinians with little place to go: 5 maps show how

    Categories

    • Business (1,673)
    • Investing (4,999)
    • Politics (7,837)
    • World (6,349)
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • About us

    Disclaimer: thesmartestinvestorsclub.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 thesmartestinvestorsclub.com | All Rights Reserved


    Back To Top