The ruling military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have decided to immediately withdraw their countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the regional organization that includes 15 members, as announced by the three countries in a joint statement on Sunday.

The statement, which was read on official media, stated that the leaders of the three Sahel countries "with full responsibility before history and in response to the expectations and aspirations of their peoples, decide with full sovereignty the immediate withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States."

ECOWAS is attempting to stop the wave of coups and pressure for the return of civilians to power as soon as possible. It has imposed severe sanctions on Mali and Niger, went as far as threatening the use of force against the Nigerien coup leaders, and suspended the participation of the three countries in its institutions.