By Our Reporter
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have resumed formal dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), more than 18 months after the three military-led countries withdrew from the regional bloc.
The two sides agreed on Saturday to work towards establishing a framework for cooperation, signalling a fresh effort to rebuild relations despite lingering political and diplomatic differences.
The three countries, governed by military juntas that took power between 2020 and 2023, formally left ECOWAS in January 2025 after forming their own regional alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Although discussions between ECOWAS and the AES had been ongoing since January 2025, Saturday’s meeting was the first official ministerial-level engagement between the two sides.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, both delegations welcomed what they described as a spirit of “fraternity, mutual respect and openness” during the discussions.
They also underscored the importance of maintaining good-neighbourly relations, particularly through respect for national sovereignty.
As part of the next steps, the parties agreed to establish joint thematic working groups to develop a framework cooperation agreement.
The AES delegation was led by Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, while Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Niang headed the ECOWAS delegation.
The renewed engagement comes amid significant geopolitical realignments in the Sahel region.
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have distanced themselves from France, their former colonial power, while strengthening political and security ties with Russia.
The three governments have promoted what they describe as an anti-imperialist approach centred on national sovereignty and have criticised West African coastal countries, including Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, for maintaining close relations with Paris.
Their withdrawal from ECOWAS and the creation of the AES marked a major challenge to regional integration efforts in West Africa.
Saturday’s talks could provide an avenue for improving relations, although the proposed cooperation framework will need to address differences over sovereignty, regional security and political coordination.