— 🇲🇱/🇳🇪/🇧🇫 NEW: Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali have officially exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

The countries, which formed a confederation under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in 2023, gave notice of leaving ECOWAS on January 28th, 2024, though ECOWAS protocol mandates a period of one year for the withdrawal to be completed.

There will be a six month grace period under which the AES countries can rejoin ECOWAS.

@Middle_East_Spectator