ISTANBUL

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger on Wednesday formally withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc.

The military-led governments in the three West African nations decided to withdraw from the bloc, and formed their own security alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States, in September 2023.

According to a statement by ECOWAS, the withdrawal "has become effective today" but it has kept the "doors open."

It requested the members to continue to provide the three countries privileges of membership, including free movement within the region with an ECOWAS passport and trade benefits “in the spirit of regional solidarity and in the interest of the people."

With the withdrawal of the three states, ECOWAS now has 12 members.

The Alliance of Sahel States recently agreed to deploy a joint force of 5,000 soldiers to combat terrorism and to establish a regional investment bank.

The states have also launched a common passport, and have plans for a joint web television to fight “disinformation.”