No existential crisis despite Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger's exit, ECOWAS commission president says
Africa
12:31
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Despite Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso's exit from ECOWAS, Commission President Omar Alieu Touray told FRANCE 24 that he remains hopeful West Africa will stay united. He highlighted the bloc's success in creating "a single market for 400 million people" over 50 years. While acknowledging challenges, Touray emphasised that ECOWAS leaders will 'keep the door open' to the three countries, even after the July deadline for potential re-entry.
Touray also dismissed claims by the juntas that France controls West African union and discussed progress on a regional counter-terrorism force, with member states preparing to contribute troops and funds, with talks scheduled for mid-June.
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