Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has called for stronger ties with ECOWAS and enhanced bilateral cooperation on key strategic projects during a diplomatic tour of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).
On Monday, 10 March, President Mahama concluded a three-day diplomatic tour of the member states of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), with stops in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
In Mali, on Saturday, 8 March, Mahama held talks with the transitional president, General Assimi Goïta. He urged a restoration of relations between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Confederation of Sahel States.
“We will work to ensure decent relations can exist between the AES—a Confederation of Sahel States that is here to stay—and ECOWAS,” he stated in Bamako.
On Sunday, 9 March, in Niger, Mahama was welcomed by General Abdourahamane Tiani, president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP). The Nigerien leader stressed “the need for collaboration and recognition of the AES by ECOWAS.”
Their discussions focused on shared challenges and bilateral cooperation.
On Monday, 10 March, in Burkina Faso, Mahama met with Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The two leaders agreed on concrete projects, including the construction of an Accra-Bolgatanga gas pipeline with a potential extension to Burkina Faso, the launch of a direct air link between Accra and Ouagadougou, and the supply of Ghanaian electricity to Burkina Faso.
Regional security was a key focus throughout the tour. “Terrorism is a reality in Mali and other Alliance countries, and even beyond,” Mahama acknowledged, calling for coordinated efforts. In Niamey, the Ghanaian and Nigerien presidents reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism.
The tour follows the official exit of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS on 29 January 2025, and an AES ministerial meeting in February. Since then, these countries have launched joint initiatives, including a unified passport.
Mahama, who had previously advocated for the return of these nations to ECOWAS during a meeting with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara on 5 March, has bolstered Ghana’s ties with the AES, notably by appointing a special envoy for the alliance. Following his visit, Ghana and Mali agreed to revive their long-dormant joint commission, inactive since 2011, while Ghana and Niger committed to holding regular joint cooperation commissions.
AC/sf/lb/as/APA