West African leaders meet amid new breakaway confederation

By Timothy Olanrewaju

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Leaders of the West African regional bloc ECOWAS are meeting on Sunday in Nigeria's capital Abuja to unveil a single currency for its 15 members states.

The day-long summit comes after three military-ruled nations of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced on Saturday signing a pact to form a coalition called Alliance for the Sahel. They withdrew from ECOWAS in January after the regional bloc’s tough stand against coups.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is also the bloc chairman, is expected to open the summit.

The initiative for the single currency known as the ECO, envisions to propel economic growth and development throughout the West African region.