West African leaders convened on Sunday for a high-stakes ECOWAS summit, prioritizing regional security and addressing the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the bloc.
The three military-led governments have reaffirmed their "irreversible" decision to exit ECOWAS, accusing the organization of serving the interests of former colonial power France.
The summit comes amid escalating tensions and calls for stronger regional collaboration to address security threats and political instability across West Africa.
The departure of the three could have a major impact on free trade and movement as well as on security cooperation in a region where jihadist groups are gaining ground across the Sahel.
Among those attending the summit in the Nigerian capital Abuja will be Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was appointed as a mediator with the breakaway states by the 15-member ECOWAS in July.
Faye said last week he was "making progress" in talks with the three and said there was no reason for them not to maintain relations, especially given the security situation.
The departure of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will become effective one year after the announcement, in January, according to the bloc's regulations.
The three states have also formed their confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), after severing ties with France and pivoting towards Russia.