The informal consultation held in Lomé on Friday, April 17, 2026, marked a significant step in regional diplomacy as foreign ministers from the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) met with officials from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Facilitated by Togo, this meeting served as a precursor to a high-level strategic summit focused on Togo’s 2026–2028 engagement strategy in the Sahel. The gathering brought together Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey and his counterparts from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, alongside the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, and the newly appointed chief negotiator, Lansana Kouyaté.
The discussions were deeply integrated into a new five-pillar strategy aimed at strengthening political dialogue, consolidating good-neighborly relations, and promoting economic integration through dedicated logistics corridors. A major focus of the talks was the operationalization of security cooperation and multilateral diplomacy. AES ministers specifically engaged with ECOWAS’s chief negotiator to ensure that his mandate aligns with the Confederation’s objectives, reflecting a mutual desire to maintain open channels of communication despite recent regional tensions.
Diplomatic sources indicate that the session underscored a shared commitment to preserving the benefits of regional integration for the well-being of West African populations. A key outcome was the agreement to swiftly establish a formal consultation framework, which would provide the necessary legal foundation for structured cooperation between ECOWAS and the AES. Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Jean Marie Traoré, emphasized that the AES remains open to dialogue, prioritizing the interests of the region’s citizens. Togo reaffirmed its role as a neutral facilitator, positioned as a bridge between Sahelian states and international partners to ensure the successful implementation of these strategic priorities.
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