Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on January 29, after providing notice a year prior.

In announcing their plans to leave, the military-led governments of the three nations accused ECOWAS of “betraying its founding principles” and being “under the influence of foreign powers.”

They also expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as illegal and illegitimate sanctions imposed on them while they work to combat terrorism.

However, A key question for today’s discussion is: What impact will this withdrawal have on young people in the Sahel region?