The decision, disclosed on Sunday, follows heightened tensions between the regional bloc and the Sahel nations, particularly after the military coup in Niger.

The move to withdraw from ECOWAS stemmed from the desire to establish a counterforce against the regional bloc, which intensified after the overthrow of Niger’s democratically elected government.

Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, ECOWAS had issued a warning of military intervention if the Niger junta refused to transfer power to a civilian administration.

However, the regimes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, standing in solidarity, resisted these pressures and pledged to defend their sovereignty.

In a joint statement on Sunday, the leaders of the three countries declared their exit from ECOWAS as a sovereign decision, marking a critical juncture in West African politics and highlighting the challenges of regional governance.

The withdrawal is expected to have profound implications for the political and economic landscape of West Africa, raising concerns about regional cooperation, security, and economic integration in the Sahel region.

Colonel Amadou Abdramane, spokesperson for the Niger junta, expressed disappointment in ECOWAS, stating, “After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism.The organization notably failed to assist these states in their existential fight against terrorism and insecurity.”