The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have agreed to establish joint working groups to develop a framework for future cooperation following their first formal negotiations in Dakar.
The decision, outlined in a communiqué issued after Saturday’s meeting, provides a technical pathway for the two regional blocs to address their strained relationship following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the ECOWAS.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, joined fellow ECOWAS ministers, ambassadors and technical representatives for consultations ahead of the dialogue.
The discussions brought together representatives of ECOWAS and the AES, which comprises the three countries that formally left the regional bloc on Jan. 29, 2025, according to ECOWAS.
Under the communiqué, the parties agreed to organise joint thematic working groups to facilitate technical discussions, with the longer-term objective of negotiating a cooperation framework agreement.
The two sides also acknowledged the historical, cultural and economic connections between their populations. They agreed that future relations should respect national sovereignty, each party’s dignity, good-neighbourly relations, and the welfare of West Africans.
The communiqué described the discussions as constructive, highlighting mutual respect, openness, and a shared commitment to maintaining regional ties.
During the preparatory discussions, Swaray reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s support for dialogue and reconciliation. He recalled President Julius Maada Bio’s earlier engagement with the three Sahel countries during his tenure as ECOWAS chairman, aimed at encouraging reconciliation and their return to the regional bloc.
Swaray also urged regional leaders to set aside emotional responses to the countries’ departure and pursue reconciliation, describing the separation as acrimonious.
The negotiations follow ECOWAS’ decision to keep channels of engagement open after the three countries’ withdrawal. In January 2025, the regional organisation announced transitional arrangements to preserve certain trade, travel and administrative provisions while discussions on future relations continued.
The establishment of joint working groups marks the next proposed stage of engagement. However, the communiqué does not establish that a final cooperation agreement has been concluded, leaving further technical negotiations necessary to determine the terms of future relations between the two blocs.