In a joint communique, the three countries explained that "the organization has not provided assistance to our States in the framework of our existential fight against terrorism and insecurity."
“ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, has betrayed its founding principles, which has become a menace to its member states and its people, whose happiness it is supposed to ensure,” the document said.
"[What's even] worse [is that] when these States decided to take their destiny into their own hands, [ECOWAS] adopted an irrational and unacceptable posture by imposing illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions in violation of its own treaties; all of which have further weakened populations already battered by years of violence imposed by instrumentalized, teleguided terrorist hordes," the communique read.
“[The heads of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger], accepting their full responsibility before history and responding to the aspirations and concerns of their people, have decided without delay and in full sovereignty to withdraw Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States,” the document concluded.