The West African trade bloc ECOWAS is aware of the "magnitude" of the challenges it faces, ECOWAS commission president Omar Alieu Touray says, after three of its founding members, junta-led Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso all officially left the group. "We do have a number of challenges and we are not oblivious to the magnitude of those challenges. But with the commitment of our leaders and our citizens we can resolve these challenges," Touray tells a press conference in Nigeria's capital Abuja where the bloc is headquartered. Citizens of the three countries should "continue to enjoy the right of visa free movement, residence and establishment in accordance with the ECOWAS protocols," Touray adds. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES