ECOWAS Stories

Guinea-Bissau’s political crisis: a nation on the brink of authoritarianism
The Conversation  |  Mar 30, 2025

Guinea-Bissau’s general elections had been scheduled for November 2024, but President Umaro Sissoco Embaló postponed them, citing political instabilit...

Niger's military leader named president, entrenches power
DW News  |  Mar 29, 2025

Niger's military ruler Abdourahamane Tchiani, who seized power in 2023, is now Niger's president. The country's return to democratic norms looks furth...

ECOWAS mission leaves Guinea-Bissau after President Embalo threatens its expulsion
Margaret Wanjiru  |  Mar 03, 2025

The ECOWAS team was sent to Guinea-Bissau last month to facilitate a "political consensus" on the timing of upcoming elections.

Guinea-Bissau president threatens to expel ECOWAS mission, bloc says
Reuters  |  Mar 02, 2025

A dispute over when Embalo's presidential term should end has heightened tensions that risk unrest in a nation with a history of military coups.

Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger officially exit regional bloc ECOWAS as notice expires
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jan 29, 2025

Their decision to withdraw was announced in January 2024, citing dissatisfaction with the bloc's increasing ties to France.

Why West Africa could soon have a jihadist state
The Conversation  |  Jan 12, 2025

Groups such as Islamic State and al-Qaeda are committed to the establishment of these states, denouncing democratic governance.

Nigeria denies allegations of destabilising Niger amid pipeline attacks
Mwangi Maina  |  Dec 26, 2024

Niger, which began oil production in 2011 with a modest output of 20,000 barrels per day, views this pipeline as a significant economic asset.

West Africa bloc Ecowas offers junta-led states 6 months to rethink exit
Reuters  |  Dec 16, 2024

Three countries in the insurgency-torn central Sahel region have set up their own alliance.

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to launch biometric passports under new alliance
Reuters  |  Sep 16, 2024

The three junta-led Sahel neighbours jointly announced in January they would leave the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), w...

US troops pull out of Niger's Air Base 101
Reuters  |  Jul 08, 2024

Niger and its military-led neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso signed a confederation treaty on Saturday, signalling an ever-closer alignment between the...

West African bloc says it risks disintegration if Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger leave
Reuters  |  Jul 07, 2024

The Alliance of Sahel States treaty, signed on Saturday, underscored the three countries' determination to turn their backs on the 15-member ECOWAS, w...

Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso rule out return to West African economic bloc
Mercy Asamba  |  Jul 06, 2024

Formalising the treaty to establish a confederation confirms the rejection by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso of the 15-member Economic Community of West...

Burkina Faso extends junta rule by five years
Reuters  |  May 26, 2024

The new charter also allows Traore to run for president when the elections take place.

West African bloc ECOWAS lifts sanctions against Guinea, Mali
Agency  |  Feb 26, 2024

ECOWAS said it was lifting financial and economic sanctions against Guinea and ending restrictions on the recruitment of Malians to professional posit...

West Africa bloc ECOWAS says lifting post-coup sanctions on Niger
Agency  |  Feb 24, 2024

The measures to be lifted included the freezing of Niger's assets in ECOWAS central banks and the suspension of financial transactions between ECOWAS...

Fractured West African bloc ECOWAS appeals for unity
Agency  |  Feb 09, 2024

With its reputation at stake, ECOWAS's handling of the latest political upheaval - in Senegal - is being closely watched.

Senegal civil society calls for mass action over delayed election
Agency  |  Feb 08, 2024

A newly formed collective –- comprising some 40 civil, religious, and professional groups –- outlined a series of upcoming actions including a protest...

Troubled West African states test fractured regional bloc ECOWAS
Agency  |  Feb 08, 2024

ECOWAS' extraordinary session follows Senegal President Macky Sall's sudden decision to delay elections, just a week after Burkina Faso, Mali and Nige...

Mali says not bound by one-year period to leave ECOWAS
Agency  |  Feb 07, 2024

Article 91 of the bloc's treaty stipulates that member countries remain bound by their obligations for a period of one year after notifying their with...

Senegal President Macky Sall postpones presidential election
Agency  |  Feb 04, 2024

Sall cited a dispute between the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court over the rejection of candidates.

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