
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.
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The departure of three of its junta-led members raises questions about the West African regional bloc's future.
The West African regional bloc confronted a political rift over the 'potential exits' of nations led by military juntas.
The suspension, a typical reaction to Africa's military coups, bars Niger from voting on the A.U.'s proposals.
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.
ECOWAS' 15 nations set an Aug. 6 deadline for Niger's military to restore to power the democratically elected president.
Despite a steady decline in piracy in the Gulf of Guinea recently, the region suffers nearly $2 billion a year in losses.
The U.N. refugee agency's chief Filippo Grandi and goodwill ambassador Cate Blanchett appealed to governments to end statelessness for 10 million people.