The Economic Community of West African States and the Confederation of Sahel States have agreed to set up joint working groups to negotiate a cooperation framework, marking a significant step toward rebuilding regional ties fractured by the departure of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the West African bloc.
The agreement was reached on 17 October at the first ministerial meeting of the ECOWAS-AES Dialogue on Cooperation, held in Dakar, Senegal. The framework provides a formal channel for the two sides to discuss shared interests spanning cross-border trade, security matters and the movement of people and goods across their borders.
The three Sahel countries formally withdrew from ECOWAS on 29 January 2025, following prolonged disagreements over military rule, the application of sanctions and calls for a return to constitutional government. The new dialogue represents an effort to manage relations between the regional bloc and these departing members while preserving broader West African cooperation.
In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, both organisations said the working groups would examine areas of common interest and present their findings to ministers for review ahead of a subsequent session. The parties said future relations would be guided by principles of good-neighbourliness, respect for sovereignty and dignity, and the welfare of West African populations. They also noted an atmosphere of fraternity, mutual respect and openness during the discussions. The date and venue of the next meeting will be determined through diplomatic channels.
For businesses and traders across West Africa, the resumption of dialogue offers the prospect of clearer rules governing cross-border commerce and movement of goods, though any formal agreements remain dependent on the outcomes of the working group negotiations.