NIGER CELEBRATES ECOWAS WITHDRAWAL

These jubilant scenes are from the streets of Niger after the country pulled out of ECOWAS. Neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso also announced their exit from West Africa’s regional bloc. All three have suffered under ECOWAS sanctions imposed after publicly-supported military coups. Their leaders accuse the 50-year-old bloc of moving away from the ‘ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism.’ But the news shouldn’t have come as a great shock. Recently, the trio formed their own Alliance of Sahel States with the long-term goal of uniting under a confederation.

As for ECOWAS, it claims it wasn’t notified of the withdrawal, as its membership slumps to 12 states. A visible sign its influence in the region is being diminished. Our question to you: Has it got a future?