Thousands of people rallied Tuesday in Niger and Burkina Faso in support of the withdrawal of their countries from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, which is due to take effect today.

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have officially severed ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), marking a

Amid a decade-long push by African countries to abolish colonial-era wigs in judicial systems, posts have surfaced online claiming Burkina Faso’s President Captain Ibrahim Traore has officially banned the headwear.

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

This will happen on Wednesday, all three countries having ignored ECOWAS's call to extend the period by six months to try to find a solution.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The regional bloc disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday. This brings to an end a year-long attempt by ECOWAS to convince the countries to reconsider leaving the bloc.

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,

Three countries under military rule have officially left West African regional bloc Ecowas, after more than a year of diplomatic tensions. The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger is a huge blow to Ecowas, which at 50 years old is considered Africa's most important regional group.

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, on Wednesday officially recognized the exit of three of its former members: Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic. The trio’s exit became effective on Wednesday,

Across Burkina Faso, thousands gathered on Tuesday to celebrate one year since the country withdrew from ECOWAS.