Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have reopened diplomatic engagement with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), paving the way for a proposed partnership between the regional bloc and the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).
The decision was reached at the inaugural ministerial meeting on cooperation in Dakar, Senegal, according to a joint statement issued on October 17, 2026.
Both parties agreed to form technical committees to examine areas of mutual interest and prepare a draft framework to guide future relations.
The committees will present their recommendations to ministers for review before another high-level meeting is convened.
The date and location of the next session will be settled through diplomatic negotiations.
Senegal’s Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, Cheikh Niang, headed the ECOWAS delegation, while Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, represented the AES.
The two officials jointly presided over the discussions and endorsed the communiqué on behalf of their respective institutions.
Participants welcomed the cordial atmosphere, highlighting the importance of mutual understanding, openness and respect in rebuilding relations.
They further recognised the longstanding cultural, historical and economic connections among West African communities, stressing that future engagement must uphold sovereignty, dignity, good neighbourliness and the welfare of citizens.
The proposed arrangement, they indicated, should be practical, equitable and responsive to the interests of people across the sub-region.
The Dakar discussions followed preliminary consultations in Bamako, Mali, on May 22, 2025, when representatives from both sides explored shared priorities for possible collaboration.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024 after relations deteriorated following military coups in the three countries.
Their exit sparked concerns over regional commerce, cross-border travel and joint efforts to address insecurity.
The communiqué also expressed appreciation to Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, alongside the Senegalese administration and citizens, for facilitating the meeting and supporting regional integration.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong