Sahel states restart dialogue with West Africa bloc

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso on Saturday resumed official ministerial talks with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), agreeing to work towards a framework for cooperation more than 18 months after leaving the regional bloc.

The three countries, ruled by military-led governments, withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025 and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), citing disagreements with the bloc. Their departure followed coups in the three countries between 2020 and 2023.

Although talks between ECOWAS and the AES have been ongoing since January 2025, Saturday's meeting was the first official ministerial-level engagement between the two sides.

In a joint statement issued on Saturday evening, the parties welcomed the "spirit of fraternity, mutual respect and openness" during the discussions and emphasized the importance of good neighborly relations and respect for sovereignty.

The two sides agreed to establish joint thematic working groups to conduct technical discussions aimed at reaching a cooperation framework agreement between ECOWAS and the AES Confederation. 

The groups' findings will be submitted to ministers for consideration ahead of their next meeting, according to the statement.

The AES delegation was led by Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, while Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Niang headed the ECOWAS delegation.

The three Sahel countries have severed longstanding military ties with France, their former colonial power, and criticized regional governments they view as maintaining close relations with Paris, including those of Benin and Côte d'Ivoire.

They have instead strengthened political ties with Russia, presenting their approach as a commitment to sovereignty and opposition to foreign influence. The juntas have also criticized West African coastal states that maintain close relations with France.