Bloc says Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger remain its 'important members'

The Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, said on Sunday that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger will remain "its important members", in response to a joint statement announced by the three countries of their immediate withdrawal from the bloc.

ECOWAS has yet to formally receive the withdrawal notice from the three countries, the regional economic bloc said, reiterating that it remained committed to restoring constitutional rule in the three West African countries.

Earlier on Sunday, the military leaders in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which are under suspension from ECOWAS, said in a joint statement that it was their sovereign decision to leave ECOWAS without delay.