- President Mahama calls for engagement with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso after their ECOWAS withdrawal
- Stresses cooperation is key to addressing West Africa’s shared challenges
- Encourages bridge-building instead of ostracism to promote stability and potential reintegration
President John Dramani Mahama has urged West African leaders to engage in dialogue with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Speaking on regional integration, President Mahama emphasized that the exit of the three countries, now operating as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), should not result in their isolation. He stressed that cooperation remains crucial to addressing shared challenges across the sub-region.
“Our sub-region is facing challenges. Three of our members have decided to break away and form the AES,” he said, noting that this development should not prevent ECOWAS from maintaining relations with the Sahel states.
President Mahama argued that the futures of ECOWAS and the AES countries remain interconnected, making continued engagement essential. He encouraged regional leaders to focus on bridge-building rather than ostracism, suggesting that sustained dialogue could eventually facilitate the Sahel states’ return to the ECOWAS fold.
“Instead of ostracising them, we must continue to build bridges between ECOWAS and our brothers in the Sahel,” he said, highlighting West Africa’s geographic and historical ties and the shared responsibility of leaders to ensure regional stability and development.
He also expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral relations within the sub-region, particularly with Nigeria, noting that closer cooperation would benefit the peoples of both countries.
President Mahama made the remarks following his installation as Aare Atayeto Oodua of the Source by the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, during a ceremony held in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, on Monday, December 15.
Earlier this year, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso formally exited ECOWAS, citing political and security disagreements with the regional bloc—a move that has raised concerns over unity and stability in West Africa.
