text:  The members of ECOWAS are not down to 12 countries, a development that could weaken the economic bloc further. The Sahelian neighbors remained defiant, despite overtures to woo them with plans of setting up an ECOWAS regional force to fight jihadist insurgency. But efforts to mediate the country's return to the bloc are expected to be discussed during the meeting today. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is expected to be reappointed as chairman of the authority after his tenure elapsed this month.