Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger Resume Talks with ECOWAS

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have reopened formal discussions with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), more than 18 months after leaving the regional organisation.

The two sides agreed on Saturday to set up joint working groups to develop a framework for future cooperation, signalling renewed efforts to rebuild relations.

The three countries, governed by military juntas, withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025 after establishing the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), following military coups and growing disagreements with the regional bloc.

Although discussions between ECOWAS and the AES have continued since the withdrawal, Saturday’s meeting was the first official ministerial-level engagement between the two sides.

In a joint statement, both delegations welcomed the openness and mutual respect displayed during the talks, stressing the importance of maintaining friendly relations, particularly through respect for each country’s sovereignty.

Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, led the AES delegation, while Senegal’s Foreign Minister, Cheikh Niang, headed the ECOWAS team.

Since taking power, the military-led governments in the three Sahelian countries have reduced their ties with France, their former colonial power, while deepening relations with Russia.

They have also criticised coastal West African countries, including Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, over their perceived closeness to Paris.

In June 2025, Nigeria’s then Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, expressed confidence that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger could eventually return to ECOWAS, suggesting that their departure might not be permanent.