Three junta-led governments have formally left the West Africa union

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, all ruled by juntas, formally left the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday after leaving the group last year.

A wave of coups has shook West Africa, putting nations in the 15-member group under military authority throughout the last five years.

“The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and Republic of Niger has become effective today, 29th January 2025,” ECOWAS declared in a press release.

After a military coup in 2023, ECOWAS requested that Niger return to democratic leadership, and the three states declared their intention to leave the bloc last January.

The three independent governments instead established their own biometric passports and created an alternative alliance called the Alliance of Sahel governments.

In a provisional accord, the remaining members of ECOWAS announced Wednesday that they will “keep ECOWAS doors open” by accepting national passports and identification from the nations that wear the bloc’s insignia, continuing commerce under the current regional arrangement, and maintaining diplomatic ties with the countries.

A six-month grace period was granted by ECOWAS to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in December to reconsider their withdrawal.

“These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future engagement with the three countries of by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government,” ECOWAS stated.