Alliance of Sahel States Takes Collective Stand in negotiations with ECOWAS

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is presenting a united front in its dealings with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as its member countries—Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali—prepare to withdraw from the regional bloc.

Foreign ministers from the AES met in Ouagadougou on Sunday to finalize details of their formal exit, scheduled for Tuesday, January 28. During the meeting, the alliance emphasized adopting a “global approach” to future negotiations and relations with ECOWAS, ensuring they act as a unified entity.

The three nations announced their intent to leave ECOWAS shortly after forming the Alliance of Sahel States, known by its French acronym AES. Their decision follows strained relations with ECOWAS due to military coups in Mali (2020), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023).

ECOWAS condemned the coups, suspended their memberships, and demanded a return to civilian rule. However, the military governments rejected these calls, expelled French troops from their territories, and sought support from Russia to combat ongoing jihadist insurgencies.

The AES ministers stated that future discussions with ECOWAS must recognize the alliance as a cohesive actor committed to peaceful coexistence while pursuing its regional objectives.


Discover more from LN247

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Advertisement

Most Popular This Week

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More from Author

Advertisement

Read Now

Ramaphosa Stands Firm Against U.S. Aid Freeze

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has firmly rejected what he calls “bullying” tactics following the U.S. government's decision to freeze global aid for 90 days, including funding for South Africa’s HIV/AIDS programs, which account for 17% of the country’s HIV-related expenditure. During his annual address, Ramaphosa warned against...

ECOWAS Maintains Open Borders for Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced that despite the formal withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc on Wednesday, citizens and businesses from these nations will continue to enjoy key membership benefits to uphold regional stability. In an official statement...

ECOWAS Approves Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s Exit

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially approved the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc, following months of political tensions after military takeovers in the three Sahel nations. In a statement released by ECOWAS, the organization acknowledged that diplomatic efforts...

Discover more from LN247

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading