Uganda, Feb. 11 -- On January 28, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso announced their withdrawal from the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), from which all three had been suspended following the military coups that overthrew their democratically elected governments. This represents the greatest crisis the bloc has faced since its establishment in 1975.

The three military juntas, which announced a new defence pact in September, accused Ecowas of being "under the influence" of foreign powers and - citing the bloc's failure to support their war against al-Qaeda and the Islamic State - posing a "threat to its member states and people."

All three governments also complained about Ecowas' "irrational and unacceptable" eco...