Leaders from Sahel countries attend the summit to discuss security and cooperation.
Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have resumed high-level discussions with ECOWAS, signaling a potential thaw in regional relations following their withdrawal from the bloc in January 2025. The three countries established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) after disagreements with ECOWAS over political governance, security, and national sovereignty. The recent meeting marked the first official ministerial talks between the two sides since the withdrawal, although discussions had continued informally. Both delegations welcomed the renewed engagement, emphasizing mutual respect, openness, fraternity, and good-neighborly relations. They also agreed to establish joint thematic working groups to develop a framework cooperation agreement. The initiative could support cross-border trade, regional security, and political stability. However, the proposed framework’s specific terms and scope remain undetermined as both sides work toward rebuilding relations.