The military juntas in West African nations Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger jointly have announced their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States on Sunday.

The juntas accused ECOWAS of being influenced by foreign powers, and failing to assist the military-led countries in addressing “existential” threats like terrorism. 

The juntas in a joint statement, broadcast on state television in all three nations, argued that ECOWAS also imposed inhumane sanctions aimed at reversing recent coups in their respective countries, instead of improving their situations.