ECOWAS summit undermined by coup nations' new alliance
The departure of three of its junta-led members raises questions about the West African regional bloc's future.
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
The Economic Community of West African States is a regional political and economic union of 12 West African nations. The community's mission is to promote economic integration, stability, and collective self-sufficiency in the region by creating a single large trading bloc.
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ECOWAS holds emergency session urging coup nations not to withdraw
The West African regional bloc confronted a political rift over the 'potential exits' of nations led by military juntas.
A.U. leaders suspend Niger until constitutional order is restored
The suspension, a typical reaction to Africa's military coups, bars Niger from voting on the A.U.'s proposals.
A.U. and ECOWAS close ranks on coup in Niger as tensions rise
African Union and West African regional bloc leaders supported deployment of a standby military force and demanded that Niger's junta release the ousted president.
West African bloc tested by crisis in Niger over military coup
ECOWAS' 15 nations set an Aug. 6 deadline for Niger's military to restore to power the democratically elected president.
U.N. urges nations to keep up prevention in Gulf of Guinea
Despite a steady decline in piracy in the Gulf of Guinea recently, the region suffers nearly $2 billion a year in losses.
U.N. refugee agency seeks end to statelessness over next five years
UNHCR's chief Filippo Grandi and goodwill ambassador Cate Blanchett appealed to governments to help 10 million people.