Three countries hit by coups are leaving west Africa’s main bloc
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger inflict more misery on their people
“It’s a historic decision!” said Sido Ibrahim as he celebrated in the streets of Niamey, Niger’s capital, after Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger declared their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the region’s main bloc. “We are united and stronger than ever,” claimed Mr Ibrahim. Others were less happy. “Things really are falling apart!” wrote Comfort Ero, the head of Crisis Group, an international think-tank, on X. “This looks like an earthquake!”
This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “Block-busters”
Middle East & Africa February 3rd 2024
From the February 3rd 2024 edition
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