The Sahel states of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have officially withdrawn from regional economic bloc ECOWAS in the wake of decisions made a year ago, the multination body said on Wednesday.
The withdrawal “has become effective today,” ECOWAS said in a statement.
All three nations, which in September created their own security partnership, the Alliance of Sahel States, are now led by juntas following coups in the past few years.