In response, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso announced their exit last January and accused ECOWAS of failing to safeguard member states and of aligning too closely with foreign powers.

Junta-led countries Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso officially left West Africa's main political and trade group ECOWAS on Wednesday after more than a year of diplomatic tensions. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have now formed their own confederation,

The deadline for the exit of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States is set to expire today, creating significant uncertainty within the region.