Supporters of the military junta take part in a march to celebrate Niger's withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its support for the Alliance of Sahel States in Niamey,

The official departure from the West African body on Tuesday comes after Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali last year formed their own alliance, the Confederation of Sahel States.

With this landmark achievement, Niger becomes the first country in Africa to eradicate this disease, which had particularly impacted populations living near certain waterways. On the same day, the World health Organisation (WHO) congratulated Niger on achieving the standard required to eliminate onchocerciasis.

Junta-led countries Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso officially left West Africa's main political and trade group ECOWAS on Wednesday after more than a year of diplomatic tensions.

Niger's president Mohamed Bazoum has spent 550 days as a hostage of the military junta in the capital, Niamey .

Four Moroccan truck drivers were kidnapped while transporting goods from Morocco to Niger and were later released in Niger. The incident highlights the prevalent insecurity in the Sahel region, exacerbated by militant activities.

Thousands of people rallied in junta-led Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali on Tuesday to back their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States regional bloc, due to take effect Wednesday.

The three Sahelian countries teamed up to form a confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) as they exit ECOWAS Wednesday.

Olivier Dubois, a French journalist, was kidnapped by JNIM, a branch of al-Qaida in Africa's Sahel region, while on his way to interview one of the group's leaders in northern Mali

Olivier Dubois, a French journalist, was kidnapped by JNIM, a branch of al-Qaida in Africa's Sahel region, while on his way to interview one of the group's leaders in northern Mali.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have officially left West Africa’s main political and trade group ECOWAS after more than a year of diplomatic tension.