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Leaders of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—which includes Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—have agreed to attend a special summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), set to take place in Accra, Ghana, from April 22 to 23, 2025. This summit also marks the beginning of ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the AES leaders’ participation during a press briefing on April 17. He noted that the invitation aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s ongoing efforts to mediate between ECOWAS and the Sahel nations in hopes of bridging the recent divisions within the regional organisation.
The summit will gather foreign and finance ministers from across ECOWAS to deliberate on the impact of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso’s exit from the bloc. These countries officially left ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, citing disapproval of sanctions imposed by the bloc and a perceived lack of assistance in addressing their domestic security issues.
Following their withdrawal, the three nations formed the AES—a new alliance focused on economic and security cooperation. The AES has since launched joint military operations and introduced shared biometric passports, indicating a move toward greater regional self-reliance.
Despite the split, ECOWAS has shown openness to continued engagement with the AES, particularly in areas of security and humanitarian cooperation, recognising the intertwined nature of regional issues.
The upcoming Accra summit is seen as a crucial moment to renew dialogue with the AES. Former Deputy Foreign Minister Charles Owiredu called the meeting an opportunity to examine the causes of the separation and seek potential avenues for reconciliation.
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ECOWAS will kick off its anniversary celebrations by unveiling a special logo and theme, launching a year-long series of events across member countries. The AES leaders’ participation in these festivities highlights a shared interest in regional unity and the possibility of future collaboration.
In light of ongoing challenges such as extremist threats and humanitarian crises, the Accra summit offers a significant chance for both ECOWAS and the AES to reshape their relationship and work toward mutual peace and prosperity.