By: Mercy Peter
The Economic Community of West African States and the three exiting countries under the umbrella of Alliance of States of Sahel have agreed to urgently work together to contain insurgency in West African region.
The two blocs have also adopted records of consultations for the launch of negotiations for the full withdrawal the three AES countries from ECOWAS.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina-Faso, Mali and Niger.
According to a statement by Mr. Joel Ahofodji, Director of Communication, ECOWAS Commission the meeting was held on Thursday 22 May 2025 in Bamako, Mali.
The meeting, he said, was a prelude to the negotiations on matters of interest between the ECOWAS member states and the three AES countries.
The three countries are under military rule and are yet to come up with any immediate plan to return the countries back to democratic rules.
They announced the withdrawal following the suspensions slammed on them by the regional bloc.
The one year notice issued by the three countries who have now formed their own regional bloc, AES, came into effect in January 2025.
The meeting in Bamako, Mali therefore signifies the commencement of negotiations between the two parties.
Ahofodji in the statement on Friday said issues of common interest were discussed at the meeting.
The statement reads: “In preparation for negotiations on matters of common interest following the
withdrawal of member states from the AES Confederation of ECOWAS, consultations
between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the AES Confederation and the President
of the ECOWAS Commission was held on May 22, 2025, in Bamako, Republic of Mali.
“ During the discussions, both Parties adopted the summary record of the
consultations for the launch of negotiations between the AES Confederation and
ECOWAS.
“They addressed important issues related to political, diplomatic,
administrative and institutional, legal, security, and economic and social
development aspects.
“ Both Parties recalled the commitment of the Heads of State in the sub-region to
prioritize the higher interest of West African populations by safeguarding the
achievements of regional integration, particularly the free movement of people and
goods, until new agreements are concluded.
“ The Parties expressed a common concern regarding the security situation and
agreed on the urgency of working to create the necessary conditions for effective
cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
“ The Parties praised the spirit of fraternity and responsibility that characterized these
initial direct exchanges and agreed to continue them, always guided by the interests
of West African populations.”
Announcing the official withdrawal of the AES countries in February 2025, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray said: “The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger from ECOWAS has become effective today, 29th January 2025.”
He said the next step would be the exit negotiations which would involve ECOWAS and the three countries. For the meantime, ECOWAS said that passports and identity cards bearing its logo will remain valid for travel within the region for citizens from the three countries.
He also said trade and economic activities will also proceed under the existing ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, allowing goods and services from the three countries to move freely.
He explained that “These arrangements will be in place until the full determination of the modalities of our future arrangements to the three countries by the ECOWAS authority of head of state and government.”
