The official departure from the West African body on Tuesday comes after Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali last year formed their own alliance, the Confederation of Sahel States.

ECOWAS, rather than preventing conflicts, seems to act after the fact. For example, the situation in Guinea under Alpha Condé could have been avoided if preventive measures had been taken.

BAMAKO, Mali — West Africa's regional bloc known as ECOWAS is facing significant challenges after three junta-led countries formally quit the group, forming their own alliance and weakening the ...