Sahel States and ECOWAS Seek New Framework for Regional Cooperation

Nearly two years after Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formally exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the breakaway Confederation of Sahel States (AES) has agreed to negotiate a new cooperation framework with the regional bloc.

Following a ministerial meeting in Dakar on October 17, 2026, both sides established joint technical working groups. These committees will explore areas of mutual interest, prioritizing cross-border trade, transport, and regional infrastructure. Such cooperation remains a critical lifeline for the landlocked AES nations, which rely heavily on coastal neighbors for seaport access and international market integration.

The AES officially withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025 amid deep disputes over military coups and punitive sanctions. While the recent Dakar communiqué reaffirms commitments to sovereignty and good neighborliness, it stops short of announcing an immediate trade pact. Instead, it establishes a structured diplomatic process: the working groups will draft recommendations for ministerial review, testing whether both sides can translate pragmatic economic necessities into a formal, enduring agreement.