A weakened West Africa bloc asks Senegalese leader to try to convince breakaway states to return
5 months, 2 weeks ago

A weakened West Africa bloc asks Senegalese leader to try to convince breakaway states to return

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy West Africa’s divided regional bloc Sunday asked Senegal’s President Basirou Diomaye Faye to have a dialogue with the three military junta-led member states to try to reunite the region whose stability has been under threat following their decision to leave the group in January. The three coup-hit countries already said at their summit a day earlier that they have “irrevocably turned their back on ECOWAS.” It is the first time in the bloc’s nearly 50-year history that it has lost members in such a manner. ECOWAS — as West Africa’s top political and economic authority — offers free trade and movement without visas within member states. Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, who was asked to continue serving as the bloc's chairman because his one-year tenure neared its end, called for stronger and new partnerships to develop the region amid its “enormous challenges.” “Together, we can pave the way for a prosperous future for all of West Africa,’’ Tinubu said.

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History of this topic

West Africa regional bloc approves exit timeline for 3 coup-hit member states
1 week, 1 day ago

West Africa regional bloc approves exit timeline for 3 coup-hit member states

Associated Press  

ABUJA, Nigeria — West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS approved Sunday an exit timeline for three coup-hit nations after a nearly yearlong process of mediation to avert the unprecedented disintegration of the grouping. “The authority decides to set the period from 29 January, 2025 to 29 July 2025 as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three …

West Africa regional bloc approves exit timeline for 3 coup-hit member states
1 week, 1 day ago

West Africa regional bloc approves exit timeline for 3 coup-hit member states

LA Times  

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, third from left, first row, poses with other West African leaders before the start of the ECOWAS meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, on Sunday. West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS approved Sunday an exit timeline for three coup-hit nations after a nearly yearlong process of mediation to avert the unprecedented disintegration of the grouping. “The authority decides …

A weakened West Africa bloc asks Senegalese leader to try to convince breakaway states to return
5 months, 2 weeks ago

A weakened West Africa bloc asks Senegalese leader to try to convince breakaway states to return

Hindustan Times  

ABUJA, Nigeria — West Africa’s divided regional bloc Sunday asked Senegal’s President Basirou Diomaye Faye to have a dialogue with the three military junta-led member states to try to reunite the region whose stability has been under threat following their decision to leave the group in January. A weakened West Africa bloc asks Senegalese leader to try to convince breakaway …

West Africa bloc lifts coup sanctions on Niger in a new push for dialogue to resolve tensions
9 months, 4 weeks ago

West Africa bloc lifts coup sanctions on Niger in a new push for dialogue to resolve tensions

Associated Press  

ABUJA, Nigeria — West Africa’s regional bloc known as ECOWAS said Saturday that it is lifting travel and economic sanctions imposed on Niger that were aimed at reversing last year’s coup in the country in a new push for dialogue as it also renewed calls on three junta-led nations to rescind their decision to quit the regional bloc. The sanctions …

ECOWAS lifts sanctions on Niger amid tensions in West Africa bloc
9 months, 4 weeks ago

ECOWAS lifts sanctions on Niger amid tensions in West Africa bloc

Al Jazeera  

The West African regional bloc is lifting most sanctions imposed on Niger over last year’s coup, in a new push for dialogue following a series of political crises that have rocked the region in recent months. Speaking in his opening remarks at the start of the summit, ECOWAS chairman and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said the bloc “must re-examine our …

West African nations flee quickly from the regional bloc that opposed military takeovers following coups
10 months, 1 week ago

West African nations flee quickly from the regional bloc that opposed military takeovers following coups

Firstpost  

As its ministers convened to discuss the escalating political strain and division in the region, West African regional bloc said on Thursday that the coup-stricken countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are swiftly abandoning the body without adhering to its exit regulations. The ECOWAS bloc refuted claims made by the juntas of the participating countries that their unprecedented decision …

After coups, West African nations hurry to leave the regional bloc that opposed military takeovers
10 months, 2 weeks ago

After coups, West African nations hurry to leave the regional bloc that opposed military takeovers

Associated Press  

ABUJA, Nigeria — The coup-hit nations of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are in haste to quit West Africa’s regional bloc without following its rules of exit, the body said Thursday as its ministers met to deliberate on growing division and political tension in the region. At the ministerial meeting in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, the bloc known as …

After coups, West African nations hurry to leave the regional bloc that opposed military takeovers
10 months, 2 weeks ago

After coups, West African nations hurry to leave the regional bloc that opposed military takeovers

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The coup-hit nations of Mali, …

Economic hardship, insecurity spike in Mali as ECOWAS exit looms
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Economic hardship, insecurity spike in Mali as ECOWAS exit looms

Al Jazeera  

Mali’s exit from the bloc comes as citizens complain about fallout of regional sanctions imposed following the two coups. Bamako, Mali – It’s been a week since Mali’s military government announced its decision to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States but Bamako, the country’s capital, is still buzzing with energy. Life is hard for us, but I …

ECOWAS holds emergency session over Senegal crisis and member exits
10 months, 2 weeks ago

ECOWAS holds emergency session over Senegal crisis and member exits

Al Jazeera  

Political drama in four member states has led to questions about the broader role of the almost 50-year-old bloc. West African foreign ministers are holding emergency talks on Thursday in Nigeria’s capital Abuja to discuss the political crisis in Senegal and disputes with military rulers in three other member states. The ECOWAS Mediation & Security Council said ministers would gather …

What is ECOWAS and why have 3 coup-hit nations quit the West Africa bloc?
10 months, 3 weeks ago

What is ECOWAS and why have 3 coup-hit nations quit the West Africa bloc?

Associated Press  

ABUJA, Nigeria — Monthslong tension between three coup-hit countries in West Africa and the regional bloc known as ECOWAS boiled over when the nations announced their immediate withdrawal from the bloc and accused it of a lack of support and “inhumane” coup-related sanctions. In their joint statement on Sunday, the juntas of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso said that instead …

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso withdraw from West Africa regional bloc ECOWAS as tensions deepen
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso withdraw from West Africa regional bloc ECOWAS as tensions deepen

Associated Press  

ABUJA, Nigeria — West African nations Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have withdrawn from the regional economic bloc known as ECOWAS, their respective juntas announced Sunday. The juntas said in a joint statement read on state television in all three countries that they have “decided in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the …

Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso announce withdrawal from ECOWAS
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso announce withdrawal from ECOWAS

Al Jazeera  

The three nations, led by military governments, accused the regional bloc of becoming a threat to member states. Three military-led West African nations have announced their immediate withdrawal from regional bloc ECOWAS, accusing the body of becoming a threat to its members. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso “decide in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal” from the Economic Community of …

Over 1,800 ‘terrorist attacks’ in West Africa in 2023: ECOWAS
1 year, 4 months ago

Over 1,800 ‘terrorist attacks’ in West Africa in 2023: ECOWAS

Al Jazeera  

The West African bloc is set to discuss strengthening a regional standby force to tackle insecurity and threats of coups. Omar Touray told the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that half a million people in the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States are refugees and nearly 6.2 million are internally displaced. “The reversal of democratic gains runs parallel …

ECOWAS due to discuss response to Burkina Faso coup
2 years, 10 months ago

ECOWAS due to discuss response to Burkina Faso coup

Al Jazeera  

Extraordinary meeting comes hours after new military ruler addresses nation for first time since overthrowing democratically elected President Roch Kabore. The 15-member Economic Community of West African States regional bloc had suspended and imposed sanctions on Burkina Faso’s neighbours Mali and Guinea following coups in August 2020 and September 2021, respectively. Its extraordinary virtual meeting on Friday comes hours after …

West Africa bloc ECOWAS hits Mali with sanctions after poll delay
2 years, 11 months ago

West Africa bloc ECOWAS hits Mali with sanctions after poll delay

Al Jazeera  

Regional body to close borders with Mali and impose economic sanctions after coup leaders postponed the vote. West Africa’s main regional bloc will close borders with Mali and impose sweeping economic sanctions in response to delays holding promised elections after a 2020 military coup, the bloc has said. The 15-member bloc said it had agreed to impose additional sanctions with …

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