Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso's exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will worsen the three countries' economic outlook, especially if it is accompanied by an exit from the West African Economic and Monetary Union, which would likely fuel the expansion of jihadist activity in the Sahel. On Jan. 28, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso issued a joint statement announcing their exit ''without delay'' from ECOWAS, thereafter issuing a formal notice of departure on Jan. 29. The three junta-led countries stated that their decision was motivated by ECOWAS' imposition of coup-related economic sanctions against them, the bloc's failure to provide assistance in tackling the growing jihadist insurgency in the Sahel, and for ''betraying its ideals'' and being ''under influence of foreign powers'' -- namely France. But while the three countries have signaled their ambition to leave the regional bloc with immediate effect, ECOWAS' charter stipulates that departing...
