West African States Turn to Bilateral Security Cooperation

West African governments are increasingly pursuing bilateral security arrangements as political divisions weaken cooperation between ECOWAS and the AES. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which form the AES, withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025, deepening divisions in the region’s security architecture. Nevertheless, the three countries have continued pursuing bilateral security cooperation with neighboring states. Ghana and Burkina Faso signed a defense agreement in August 2026, while Mali and Guinea have advanced intelligence-sharing arrangements. Senegal and Mali have also maintained joint patrols. These initiatives offer governments a way to address shared threats without waiting for a broader political settlement. However, gaps persist along vulnerable borders, particularly between Benin, Niger, and Nigeria, where armed groups exploit limited coordination. Analysts say that flexible bilateral partnerships could gradually rebuild regional security cooperation, provided governments overcome political distrust and translate agreements into effective joint operations.