Member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have convened in Accra, Ghana, for a two-day meeting to deliberate on the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the bloc.

In a statement issued Tuesday, ECOWAS said the session will focus on the modalities of the exit process and its implications for ECOWAS institutions and agencies operating in the three junta-led countries. The bloc also plans to establish a structure to facilitate dialogue with each nation.

The meeting comes weeks after the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso — imposed a 0.5% import duty on goods from ECOWAS members, defying the bloc’s policy on free movement of goods. The levy exempts humanitarian aid.

ECOWAS is also expected to discuss broader regional implications and future relations with the AES nations, which officially announced their withdrawal from the bloc in January.