Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso's foreign ministries have requested that their nations be allowed to rejoin the two regional blocs that had suspended them following recent military coups.

In a joint statement, the ministers said they had agreed to work together to push for the lifting of their suspensions from the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).

Abdoulaye Diop of Mali, Morissanda Kouyate of Guinea and Burkina's Olivia Rouamba held talks in Ouagadougou where they "agreed to pool their efforts and undertake joint initiatives for the lifting of the suspension measures and other restrictions" taken by the AU and Ecowas.

The coups in Mali and Burkina Faso were triggered by frustrations following a jihadist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives in the Sahel countries.

Guinea's coup, on the other hand, was as a result of public anger against then President Alpha Conde who sought a third term in office, contrary to the provisions of the constitution.

Source: BBC