Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso announce withdrawal from ECOWAS
Al JazeeraJan 31
Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Withdraw From ECOWAS
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The Facts
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso on Sunday announced their decision to leave the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The three West African countries were suspended from and hit with sanctions by ECOWAS following the overthrow of their respective democratically-elected governments.
In a televised joint statement, the military-run governments pointed out that their decision was made in "complete sovereignty" and accused ECOWAS of abandoning "the ideals of its founding fathers and Pan-Africanism." They also alleged that "foreign powers" were influencing the organization.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This ill-considered move by these three countries demonstrates their preference for populist measures over a return to the rule of law. Although they have the right to criticize France and other colonial powers, their hypocritical turn to Russia as an ally is putting the region and world at greater risk.
Establishment-critical narrative
It's ECOWAS's fault these countries have made this decision. ECOWAS has failed to fulfill its founding mandate and find diplomatic solutions to a multitude of existing regional problems. Instead, the organization has turned into a tool of foreign interests to reinstate "democratic" puppet governments that fail at combating Islamist threats.
