ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, have resumed formal diplomatic engagement, agreeing to establish a framework for cooperation despite the three countries’ withdrawal from the regional bloc.
The renewed dialogue signals a possible opening for improved relations between the two sides amid escalating insecurity and persistent jihadist attacks across West Africa.
The three Sahelian countries officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in January 2025 after prolonged disagreements with the bloc, subsequently pursuing an independent political and security agenda under the AES alliance.
Saturday’s meeting in Dakar, Senegal, was reportedly the first formal ministerial-level engagement between ECOWAS and the AES countries since their departure, although diplomatic contacts had continued since January 2025.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, both sides said their discussions were guided by fraternity, mutual respect and openness. They also reaffirmed the importance of good neighbourly relations and respect for national sovereignty.
The parties agreed to establish joint thematic working groups tasked with developing a framework cooperation agreement.
Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Traore, led the AES delegation, while Senegal’s Foreign Minister, Cheikh Niang, headed the ECOWAS team.
However, it remains unclear whether the discussions could pave the way for the three countries to return to ECOWAS or whether cooperation will proceed through a separate arrangement.
Sahel Insecurity Raises Stakes for Regional Cooperation
The diplomatic engagement comes as armed groups continue to launch attacks across the Sahel, threatening regional stability and expanding the security risks facing coastal West African countries.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have battled jihadist insurgencies for more than a decade, with groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State exploiting weak state presence, porous borders and local grievances.
In Mali, coordinated attacks on April 25 targeted multiple locations. The violence involved Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked group, and the Azawad Liberation Front, a separatist movement. Mali’s Defence Minister, Sadio Camara, was killed during the attacks.
Burkina Faso and Niger have also faced sustained assaults on security forces and civilians, while the threat of militant violence has increasingly extended towards northern Benin and Togo.
Nigeria, the region’s largest economy, is confronting its own overlapping security challenges, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgencies, banditry and mass kidnappings.
The cross-border nature of these threats has heightened concerns that strained relations between ECOWAS and the AES countries could undermine intelligence-sharing, border security and coordinated counterterrorism operations.
Niger’s withdrawal from the Multinational Joint Task Force in March 2025 further illustrated the challenges confronting regional security cooperation.
AES Pursues Independent Security Strategy
Since breaking away from ECOWAS, the three Sahelian countries have pursued a distinct political and security strategy, distancing themselves from France and strengthening ties with Russia.
Their departure has complicated efforts to maintain regional coordination, even as armed groups continue to exploit cross-border routes and security gaps.
Diplomatic tensions have also been fuelled by allegations from some Sahelian leaders that neighbouring countries and foreign powers are supporting armed groups. Such allegations remain contested and require independently verifiable evidence.
The latest talks could provide an avenue for addressing some of these differences, but significant questions remain over the scope and implementation of any proposed agreement.
ECOWAS has traditionally emphasised constitutional governance and democratic transitions, while the three AES countries remain under military-led governments.
How both sides reconcile these political differences with the urgent need for regional security cooperation could determine the extent to which the renewed engagement delivers practical results.
For now, the agreement to establish joint working groups marks a step towards structured dialogue, although it does not, in itself, signal the return of Burkina Faso, Mali or Niger to ECOWAS.
