Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger hold first ministerial talks with ECOWAS since exit

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have held their first official ministerial-level talks with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since withdrawing from the regional bloc in January 2025.

The meeting, held last weekend, ended with representatives of ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) agreeing to establish joint working groups to develop a framework agreement for cooperation.

In a joint statement, both sides welcomed the “spirit of fraternity, mutual respect and openness” that characterised the discussions, while emphasising the importance of good neighbourly relations and respect for national sovereignty.

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

The talks mark a new stage in engagement between the regional bloc and the three military-led countries, which withdrew from ECOWAS amid tensions over military coups and the organisation’s response to the political crises.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger had formed the AES before their withdrawal from ECOWAS. Since taking power, their military-led governments have reduced ties with France, their former colonial ruler, while strengthening relations with Russia.

The three countries have also criticised coastal West African nations, including Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, over what they regard as close relationships with Paris.

In June 2025, Nigeria’s then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, expressed optimism that the three countries would eventually return to ECOWAS.

However, the latest agreement focuses on establishing a framework for cooperation between the two sides and does not indicate that Burkina Faso, Mali or Niger intends to rejoin the regional bloc.

The proposed joint working groups are expected to help define areas of cooperation and strengthen relations between ECOWAS and the AES countries.