Factbox-Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso quit ECOWAS, testing regional unity

Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, Prime Minister of Burkina Faso Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela and Prime Minister of Mali Choguel Kokalla Maiga walk as they attend a sit-in in Niamey, Niger, December 29, 2023. REUTERS/Mahamadou Hamidou/File Photo

LAGOS (Reuters) - Defying pressure by leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore constitutional rule, junta leaders of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso said on Sunday they were quitting the regional bloc.

The decision is a blow to regional integration after the bloc suspended the three countries following military takeovers.