Opinion - Last Wednesday, an official announcement was that three West African countries under military rule have officially left the regional bloc, The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have formally withdrawn from the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, the body said Wednesday.

The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday announced the formal exit of junta-led Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the bloc following their withdrawal last year. West Africa has been rocked by a spate of coups that has countries in the 15-member body under military rule in the past five years.

The departure of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from West Africa's most influential bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), raises concerns, especially in the areas of security and economics,

It is very difficult to imagine how a group of heads of state could negotiate with a government that is not legally established by the people of a country to leave ECOWAS. ECOWAS and AU have both established protocols not to recognise unconstitutional take over of power.

Three countries under military rule have officially left West African regional bloc Ecowas, after more than a year of diplomatic tensions. The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger is a huge blow to Ecowas, which at 50 years old is considered Africa's most important regional group.

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.

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Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have officially left ECOWAS, marking a significant shift in West African politics. The withdrawal, finalized after a yearlong process, stems from dissatisfaction with the bloc's alignment with leaders over the citizenry.

Earlier this month, soldiers swooped by helicopter into a vast mining complex in western Mali and made away with three tonnes of gold -- all done on the orders of the military government.

Burkina, Mali, Niger Exit ECOWAS, Thousands Hit Streets to Cheer Decision | Firstpost Africa |N18G Thousands hit streets in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to back their junta regime’s formal exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc.

Junta-led Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso officially quit West African bloc after more than a year of diplomatic tensions