AES-ECOWAS relations: Towards a new framework for cooperation

One year after their official withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—now united under the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—are working towards establishing a new cooperative framework with their former regional partners.

With ECOWAS having formalized their departure, discussions are now focused on defining mechanisms for collaboration that will serve the interests of the people across both blocs.

Committed to pragmatic governance and concrete actions, AES leaders are making significant efforts to implement policies that benefit their citizens.

A key priority remains the seamless integration of populations, ensuring that economic and social activities continue without disruption.

In this spirit, AES authorities have taken steps to facilitate movement across their borders, allowing ECOWAS nationals to travel freely within the confederation.

To advance this agenda, a ministerial meeting was recently held in Bamako, following technical discussions among experts.

The primary goal of this gathering was to establish a unified negotiation strategy for engagement with ECOWAS, fostering a structured and mutually beneficial partnership.

Briefing Malian transitional leader and current AES President, General Assimi Goïta, on the latest developments, ministers reported significant progress in the process.

These advancements, they assured, would pave the way for transparent and constructive bilateral cooperation between AES and ECOWAS member states.

Looking ahead, AES ministers are set to hold commission-level talks with ECOWAS representatives in the coming days.

The objective is to swiftly initiate negotiations and reach agreements that will serve the collective interests of all communities across both regional entities.

Maurice K.ZONGO