Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger sign a deal to oppose ECOWAS
Three military-led West African Sahel countries—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—have signed a security treaty that will make them support one another against any external aggression. They signed the treaty on Saturday, in a development that appeared to counter the threat posed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Recall that ECOWAS issued threats to intervene militarily following the July coup in Niger, that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Mali and Burkina Faso have vowed to come to Niger’s aid if it is attacked. ECOWAS and the West have criticized the three countries over military takeovers, which have strained their…