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The Latest Breaking News from the Economic Community of West African States

AI-driven border surveillance is spreading across west Africa. What this means for migrants’ rights

West Africa as a region has long had one of the most mobile populations in the world. Since 1979, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has allowed citizens of its member states to travel freely across borders without visas.

The Conversation

Ecowas without the Sahel states: how the split is testing free movement and regional legitimacy

New governments in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso formally left the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) a year ago, having created the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The move happened as a consequence of diplomatic tensions related to military coups in the three countries, after which the regional…

The Conversation

Guinea-Bissau’s presidential poll has already failed the credibility test

Guinea-Bissau heads into its November elections against the backdrop of a deepening crisis of electoral legitimacy across Africa. In recent months, a string of elections has reinforced the perception that incumbency, not competition, remains the standard.

The Conversation

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West Africa’s trade monitoring system has collapsed - why this is dangerous for food security

A decade ago countries in West Africa set up a unique trade monitoring mechanism. Its purpose was to track intra-regional trade in agricultural products and livestock in the region. But the system was closed down in 2022 due to a lack of funding by regional organisations.

The Conversation

West African group Ecowas turns 50 amid struggle to stay united

Celebrations marking 50 years of the Economic Community of West African States – known as Ecowas – began in Ghana this week, but the mood was far from jubilant. The region’s main political and economic bloc finds itself at a crossroads after losing three key members.

Radio France Internationale

Ecowas breakup could push up food prices and worsen hunger in west Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) lost three of its founding members on 29 January 2025. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger comprised 16% of the bloc’s population of 424 million and 7% of its economy.

The Conversation

Why Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s new plan to tackle extremist violence is likely to fail

The military-led nations of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) on January 29. They had announced their intention to leave one year ago, shortly after establishing a new defence pact called the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES).

The Conversation

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Thousands Rally In Burkina, Mali And Niger To Cheer ECOWAS Exit

Thousands of people rallied in junta-led Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali on Tuesday to back their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States regional bloc, due to take effect Wednesday.

International Business Times

Ghana’s President Akufo-Addo says security in Sahel has ‘worsened’ since French troops left

Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo said he hoped Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger would rejoin the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc, in an interview with FRANCE 24. The decision of the military juntas in the three countries to withdraw from ECOWAS was a setback, and the security…

France 24

West Africa is changing: five essential reads on breakaways from Ecowas

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has been in the news lately – mostly for the wrong reasons.

The Conversation

New Sahel Confederation challenges regional order as ECOWAS seeks dialogue

The military heads of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger convened for the inaugural summit of the Confederation of the Sahel States (AES). The leaders emphasised territorial and popular sovereignty as core principles of their leadership through a new treaty. Concurrently, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is exploring…

Radio France Internationale

Ecowas summit: 6 steps the leaders can take to restore stability and growth in west Africa

This year’s summit of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) takes place against a challenging environment for the regional bloc.

The Conversation

Debate on ditching CFA begins as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger forge new path

Amid talk of ditching West African franc, a colonial-era legacy, analysts unpack what it means for three Sahel states.

Al Jazeera

Coups in West Africa Threaten Stability and Regional Blocs

The coup-hit nations of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are hastily quitting West Africa's regional bloc, ECOWAS, without following the proper exit protocols.

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Al Jazeera

ECOWAS holds emergency session over Senegal crisis and member exits

Political drama in four member states has led to questions about the broader role of the almost 50-year-old bloc.

Al Jazeera

Economic hardship, insecurity spike in Mali as ECOWAS exit looms

Mali’s exit from the bloc comes as citizens complain about fallout of regional sanctions imposed following two coups.

Radio France Internationale

Niger junta bans French planes from its airspace

Niger, which reopened airspace at the start of September, says it welcomes all commercial flights except for French planes or flights chartered by French companies.

Al Jazeera

Most of West Africa ready to join standby force in Niger: ECOWAS

ECOWAS commissioner says all member states will join the force except those under military rule and Cape Verde.

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France 24

African Union and ECOWAS at odds over intervention in Niger on eve of summit

A day ahead of a meeting of West African military chiefs to hammer out what a military intervention in Niger might look like, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) appeared at odds over whether military action should be on the table. Follow our live…

France 24

🔴 Live: ECOWAS condemns Niger junta’s threat to prosecute President Bazoum for 'high treason'

West African regional bloc ECOWAS on Monday condemned Niger coup leaders’ threat to prosecute ousted President Mohamed Bazoum for "high treason". Niger’s junta earlier slammed West African leaders for imposing sanctions on the country. Follow our live blog for the latest updates. All times are Paris time (GMT+2).

Radio France Internationale

West African leaders hold summit on Niger as junta declares new government

Leaders of the West African bloc Ecowas are meeting for an emergency summit in Nigeria on Thursday, after their ultimatum to soldiers who have seized power in Niger was ignored. Meanwhile the junta, which continues to detain the elected president, said it had formed a new government.

France 24

No, this video is not of an African leader condemning the ECOWAS bloc's Niger response

A video viewed hundreds of thousands of times purports to show an African leader violently criticising ECOWAS for imposing a strict ultimatum on the Niger junta. In reality, this video dates from 2022 and shows a Gambian leader protesting against ECOWAS’ intention to create an “anti-coup” unit.

The Conversation

Niger coup: why an Ecowas-led military intervention is unlikely

Hopes are fading for a quick resolution of Niger’s coup or the potential use of force by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to free Nigerien president Mohammed Bazoum and restore him to power.

France 24

These videos do not show foreign troops intervening in Niger

Following the July 26 military coup in Niger, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued an ultimatum demanding a return to constitutional order. After the ultimatum expired on the evening of August 6, Nigeriens feared an imminent military intervention. In this context, several misleading videos began to circulate…

France 24

Niger left in limbo as ECOWAS dithers on military intervention

The West African bloc's deadline for military intervention in Niger lapsed on Sunday and while ECOWAS has signalled they will pursue diplomatic solutions, military action remains on the table. Aside from the potential catastrophic loss of life, there are practical, political, strategic and legal reasons why an intervention is potentially…

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