ECOWAS has called for the reconsideration of the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the regional bloc, offering a pathway for their return by July 29, 2025, without the need for new negotiations. The three countries, which formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) earlier this year, were urged to restore ties for the continued benefit of regional cooperation.
At a High-Level Policy Dialogue in Accra, Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, emphasized the significance of maintaining strong regional relationships. Despite the political departure of these nations, Musah confirmed that their citizens continue to enjoy free movement within ECOWAS borders, and collaboration on security and humanitarian issues remains critical.
The event, a two-day conference organized by WANEP in partnership with SSRC and CORN West Africa, brought together regional and international stakeholders to assess the evolving geopolitical situation in West Africa. Discussions centered on how ECOWAS can navigate the challenges of conflict, governance, and integration across the region.
In his keynote address, Dr. Musah revealed that Presidents Diomaye Faye of Senegal and Faure Gnassingbe of Togo have been tasked with initiating dialogue with the AES leadership to promote reconciliation. He stressed that the region’s instability is largely driven by gaps in governance and development.
Levinia Addae-Mensah, Executive Director of WANEP, warned that the fragmentation of the region, alongside the rise of extremism and democratic backsliding, poses serious threats. She emphasized the need for fresh, inclusive strategies that involve both civil society and regional bodies to strengthen West Africa’s resilience against these challenges.
