West African regional bloc ECOWAS is pleading with the three junta-led Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali to reconsider their decision to quit the political and economic alliance. Some commentators believe that this will not only affect the region’s economy, but also democracy. The three leaders say that the West African body has fallen under the influence of foreign powers, therefore “betraying its founding principles”. Just how much power do these three countries hold and could they really bring down the region as analysts believe? 

Guest: Nixon Kathembo - African Affairs analyst and Channel Africa Producer