The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is at a crossroads as three of its member countries – Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – prepare to leave the organization. These nations, all located in the Sahel region, have announced their decision to withdraw, accusing ECOWAS of siding with foreign powers like France and undermining their sovereignty. But the regional bloc isn’t ready to give up on them just yet.

At a summit held on Sunday in Abuja, Nigeria, ECOWAS leaders decided ...