ECOWAS, AES talks raise prospects of renewed ties

Efforts to rebuild relations between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have gained momentum following a ministerial meeting in Dakar, Senegal, where both sides agreed to establish joint working groups towards a framework for future cooperation.

The October 17, 2026 meeting comes nearly two years after Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger formally withdrew from ECOWAS, raising fresh questions about the future of regional integration, cross-border trade and security cooperation in West Africa.

The agreement does not signal a decision by the three countries to rejoin the regional bloc but marks a new step towards structured engagement between the two sides.

The ECOWAS delegation was led by Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Niang, while Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, led the AES delegation.

The joint working groups are expected to examine areas of common interest and develop recommendations for a cooperation framework. Their findings will be submitted to ministers for consideration at a subsequent meeting.

How the Sahel alliance emerged

The AES, comprising Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, was established in September 2023 through the Liptako-Gourma Charter as a mutual defense pact intended to strengthen security cooperation among the three countries.

The alliance emerged amid persistent jihadist insurgencies and growing political tensions with ECOWAS following military coups in the three countries.

Relations with the regional bloc deteriorated over sanctions imposed after the coups and disagreements over the military-led governments’ timelines for restoring constitutional rule.

The three governments also expressed dissatisfaction with what they considered inadequate regional support in tackling insecurity and accused ECOWAS of acting under foreign influence.

These grievances contributed to their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS, with the withdrawal taking effect on January 29, 2025.

Experts highlight the need for cooperation

International Relations Expert, Professor Daniel Kipo-Sunyehzi says closer engagement between the two sides has become important for regional integration and the facilitation of trade.

He argued that maintaining channels of cooperation could help preserve the economic relationships and regional connections that link the Sahel countries with the wider West African community.

Foreign Policy and Security Analyst, Adib Saani also points to the potential consequences of prolonged tensions, particularly for trade, transport, cross-border movement and regional security.

For him, this renewed interest for collaboration is a recognition on both sides that institutional differences affect cooperation in terms of trading, intelligence sharing, fighting transnational organized crime and more.

The three AES countries are landlocked and depend on transport corridors through neighboring states to access seaports and international markets, making regional relationships important to their economic activities.

Professor Lord Mawuko Yevugah identifies strategic considerations as a possible motivation for renewed engagement, despite the political differences between the two blocs.

He further argues that recognizing the sovereignty concerns of the Sahel states will be important in future negotiations aimed at establishing a workable cooperation framework.

What next for ECOWAS and the AES?

The Dakar meeting provides a formal channel through which both sides can explore areas of mutual interest, even as they remain separate political and regional blocs.

The proposed working groups are expected to lay the groundwork for further ministerial discussions, although the outcome of those negotiations remains uncertain.

Whether the engagement eventually leads to the return of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to ECOWAS or produces a different arrangement for cooperation remains to be seen.

For now, the immediate task is to translate diplomatic dialogue into practical arrangements that protect regional trade, security and the interests of West African populations.