Analysts weigh in ahead of ECOWAS members' exit deadline

FILE - A local resident walks past the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) office in Lagos, Nigeria, Sept. 24, 2024.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are due to officially exit the West African ECOWAS bloc of nations this month, one year after announcing their withdrawal. The bloc hopes to persuade them to remain, but some analysts say growing anti-French sentiment in the region and Nigeria's own recent dealings with France could frustrate negotiations.