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 in recent years, nations must accelerate efforts to counter the region's nearly US$2 billion a year in losses, senior U.N. officials urged diplomats in charge of international security.
The U.N. refugee agency's chief Filippo Grandi and goodwill ambassador Cate Blanchett appealed to governments to end statelessness for 10 million people.