The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have taken a significant step towards strengthening regional cooperation following the inaugural session of their Ministerial Dialogue held in Dakar, Senegal, on 17 October 2026.
The high-level meeting brought together senior representatives from both regional blocs with the aim of laying the foundation for future cooperation and fostering stronger relations among West African nations.
The ECOWAS delegation was led by His Excellency Cheikh Niang, Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and Senegal's Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad. The AES Confederation delegation was headed by His Excellency Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, Burkina Faso's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the Ministerial Steering Committee of the AES Confederation.
The session was jointly chaired by the two heads of delegation.
In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, both parties welcomed the atmosphere of fraternity, mutual respect and openness that characterised the discussions. They also reaffirmed the deep historical, socio-cultural and economic ties that continue to bind the peoples of West Africa.
Recognising these longstanding bonds, the parties agreed that future relations between ECOWAS and the AES should be guided by the principles of good neighbourliness, mutual respect, sovereignty, dignity and the welfare of West African citizens.
The dialogue followed earlier consultations held in Bamako, Mali, on 22 May 2025, during which preliminary discussions were conducted on areas of common interest. Building on those consultations, ministers exchanged views on key sectors around which future cooperation could be structured.
The two organisations further reiterated their commitment to establishing a cooperation framework that is balanced, practical and capable of safeguarding the interests of their respective populations.
As part of efforts to advance the process, the parties agreed to establish joint thematic working groups tasked with undertaking technical consultations aimed at developing a comprehensive Cooperation Framework Agreement between ECOWAS and the AES Confederation.
The recommendations and outcomes of these working groups will subsequently be submitted to ministers for review and consideration before the next ministerial session.
The meeting is widely viewed as an important milestone in efforts to maintain dialogue and cooperation across West Africa amid evolving political and security developments within the region.
The joint communiqué was adopted in Dakar on 17 October 2026 in French, English and Portuguese, with all three versions recognised as equally authentic.