Wed Jan 29 09:43:41 UTC 2025: ## ECOWAS Loses Three Member States After Military Coups

**Niamey, Niger/Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – January 29, 2025** – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially lost three member states: Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The military juntas ruling these nations finalized their withdrawal from the regional bloc today, a move announced by ECOWAS itself. This marks a significant blow to the 15-nation organization, established in 1975, which has served as a key political and economic authority in the region.

The withdrawal, effective immediately, follows a year-long process triggered by ECOWAS’s demand for the restoration of democratic rule in Niger after a coup in 2024. The military governments in all three countries have accused ECOWAS of being unduly influenced by France and have increasingly aligned themselves with Russia.

Thousands rallied in Niger and Burkina Faso on Tuesday to celebrate the departure, chanting slogans against French President Emmanuel Macron and other regional leaders. Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister, Rimtalba Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo, declared the move a severing of “imperialist” ties.

The three nations, facing ongoing struggles with Islamist armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS, formed their own security alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States, in September 2024. This further underscores their growing independence from ECOWAS.

Despite the unprecedented loss, ECOWAS stated its commitment to regional solidarity and pledged to maintain open doors for future reintegration. The remaining member states have been urged to continue granting citizens from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger the privileges of free movement of people and goods. The long-term implications of this significant shift in West African geopolitics remain to be seen.

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