Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger will officially exit ECOWAS on January 29 but have been granted a six-month grace period until July 29 to reconsider their decision.

Despite efforts by ECOWAS to dissuade them, the three Sahel nations, now part of their Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have deemed their departure irreversible.

They pledged to maintain visa-free access for ECOWAS citizens, easing concerns over regional trade and movement.

Their exit follows recent coups, shifting alliances toward Russia, and ongoing security challenges from al-Qaeda and ISIS, Al-Jazeera has reported.

Negotiations led by Senegal’s president continue in hopes of preserving ties.

Written by B.C. Begley