Ecowas: Nigeria Criticizes States for Leaving Regional Bloc

Nigeria, one of the big countries in the region, is not happy with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger because they decided to leave a group called the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas). Let’s find out more!

Why Did They Leave?

So, these three countries were already in trouble because they had military takeovers, which meant the army took control instead of the elected leaders. Ecowas didn’t like that, so they suspended these countries. But now, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have decided to leave Ecowas altogether. They say that Ecowas is not helping them enough to fight against the violence caused by some bad people called jihadists.

What’s a Jihadist?

Great question! A jihadist is someone who believes in a certain extreme form of Islam and uses violence to achieve their goals. They cause a lot of trouble and harm innocent people.

What Does This Mean for the People?

Leaving Ecowas is a big deal because it means that people from these countries won’t have some benefits anymore. For example, they won’t be able to travel to other Ecowas countries without a visa, and they might not have the right to live and work there anymore. That’s not good news for people who want to move around freely and find better opportunities.

Nigeria’s Response

Nigeria, being the largest country in Ecowas and having a strong relationship with Niger, is not happy about their decision. Nigeria’s government says that the leaders of these countries are not being fair to their people. They are not letting them choose their leaders and make important decisions about their lives.

The Impact of Niger Border Closure on Nigeria’s Economy

Other Countries Getting Involved

Now, here’s something interesting. Burkina Faso recently received a lot of free wheat from a country called Russia. Russia is trying to make friends with African countries and gain more influence. But it’s not just Russia; there are many other countries like China, India, Turkey, and even Western nations that want to have a say in Africa’s affairs.

Conclusion

So, Nigeria is not happy with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger for leaving Ecowas. These countries say that Ecowas didn’t help them enough with the violence caused by jihadists. It’s a complicated situation, but it’s important to understand what’s happening in the world. Stay curious, my friends!