Citizens in Niamey Celebrate as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso Quit ECOWAS

In West Africa, the military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have jointly declared their immediate withdrawal from the West African bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The announcement has triggered diverse reactions, with hundreds of people taking to the streets of Niamey to celebrate this decision. This announcement was applauded by Nigerien citizens, who applauded the decision of its leaders to withdraw from ECOWAS. The celebration in Niamey reflects the sentiment of those who support the withdrawal, viewing it as a bold move by the military-led nations.

However, the situation took a discordant turn as the prime minister appointed by Niger's regime criticized ECOWAS for what he deemed "bad faith." This criticism stemmed from the bloc's decision to largely shun a planned meeting in Niamey, citing an aircraft technical fault in Abuja as the reason for the cancellation of its mission to Niger. The trio of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, all currently under military rule due to recent successful coups, has raised questions about the influence and effectiveness of ECOWAS in maintaining stability in member countries. The move to exit the regional bloc signals a shift in the geopolitical landscape of West Africa.

Amidst the celebrations and criticisms, ECOWAS has expressed readiness for "a negotiated solution." The bloc remains committed to finding a resolution to the political impasse caused by the withdrawal of the three countries. The unfolding events underscore the complexities of regional alliances and the challenges faced by ECOWAS in navigating the evolving dynamics of member nations. 🌍🤝

Host: Lekan Onabanjo
Guest: Calvin Dark, Global Affairs Analyst, Rabat, Morroco

Follow News Central on:
Facebook:   / newscentralafrica  
Twitter:   / newscentraltv  
Instagram:   / newscentraltv  
For more content, go to: https://newscentral.africa

#NewsCentral #AfricaFirst #Africa #News #Politics #ECOWAS #WestAfrica #RegionalBloc #PoliticalDynamics #Niger #Mali #BurkinaFaso