Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger reopen talks with ECOWAS, agree on cooperation framework

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have agreed with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to establish a framework for cooperation, marking a fresh diplomatic effort to rebuild relations after the three Sahelian countries withdrew from the regional bloc.

The agreement followed ministerial-level talks held in Dakar, Senegal, on Saturday, October 17, where representatives of both sides agreed to establish joint working groups to develop proposals for future cooperation.

The meeting marked the first formal ministerial engagement between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) since the three countries left the regional organisation in January 2025.

In a joint statement issued after the discussions, both sides emphasised fraternity, mutual respect, openness and good neighbourly relations, while underscoring the importance of respecting national sovereignty.

The proposed working groups are expected to develop a framework agreement that could guide relations between the two regional groupings. Their findings will be presented to ministers for consideration ahead of a subsequent meeting.

Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Traore, led the AES delegation, while Senegal’s Foreign Minister, Cheikh Niang, headed the ECOWAS team.

Although discussions between the two sides have continued since the countries’ withdrawal, Saturday’s meeting represented a formal step towards establishing a structured mechanism for cooperation.

The renewed engagement comes amid persistent security challenges across the Sahel, where jihadist groups have continued to attack military positions and civilians in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Violence in the region has also raised concerns among coastal West African countries, including Benin and Togo, as armed groups threaten to expand their operations towards the south.

Nigeria, which plays a major role in ECOWAS, is also grappling with insecurity, including insurgency, banditry and mass kidnappings. The cross-border nature of these threats makes regional coordination important for intelligence-sharing, border security and counterterrorism operations.

Relations between the three Sahelian countries and ECOWAS deteriorated following military coups and disagreements over the bloc’s response to the political crises.

The three countries subsequently formed the AES, seeking closer political and security cooperation outside ECOWAS. Their governments have also distanced themselves from France while strengthening ties with Russia.

Their departure created new challenges for regional integration, particularly in coordinating security responses and maintaining economic links across West Africa.

The latest discussions signal willingness by both sides to pursue cooperation despite their political differences. However, the agreement does not establish that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger intend to rejoin ECOWAS.

Instead, the proposed framework offers a potential route for managing relations between the two blocs while preserving the Sahelian countries’ position outside the organisation.

The next stage will involve the joint working groups developing proposals for ministers to examine before another ministerial meeting is arranged.

The outcome could shape how ECOWAS and the AES coordinate on shared regional interests, particularly security, trade and relations among neighbouring countries.