The 66th summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commenced, with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger noticeably absent.
The three nations, which recently experienced military coups, have severed ties with the bloc, accusing it of imposing unfair sanctions in response to their political crises.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who currently chairs ECOWAS, is leading the summit. A key update will be delivered by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who mediated with the three nations during the previous meeting. 
Key topics on the agenda include addressing regional security challenges and ensuring member states’ compliance with the community levy payments. Discussions will also focus on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, which promotes the free movement of people and goods across member states.
Founded in 1975, ECOWAS remains West Africa’s primary political and economic authority, comprising around a dozen nations, including Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and The Gambia.
However, the bloc faces growing challenges as coups and security crises continue to destabilize the region.
The absence of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso underlines the bloc’s struggle to maintain unity while addressing critical regional issues. How ECOWAS navigates these challenges will shape the future of West African stability and integration.
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