Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have launched an appeal for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—to reconsider their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The appeal was made during Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s visit to Côte d’Ivoire, where he met with President Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan on Wednesday. The discussions focused on regional security, economic cooperation, and political stability in the Sahel.
President Ouattara emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “We trust you, Mr. President, that during your discussions with these brother countries, you will be able to convince them to remain in ECOWAS, because the future of the peoples of West Africa depends on it.”
President Mahama echoed this sentiment, highlighting the economic and security benefits of a unified ECOWAS. “It is always better to remain in a group of 15 than to remain in a group of three,” he said, urging the AES nations to reconsider their position.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger officially left ECOWAS on January 29, 2024, citing disagreements with the bloc. The call for their return comes as West African leaders navigate pressing regional challenges, including terrorism, economic instability, and climate change.
Beyond regional security, the two leaders also discussed economic cooperation, particularly in the cocoa industry, where Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire together account for over 60% of global production. They also reviewed progress on major ECOWAS projects such as the Abidjan-Lagos corridor and the Eco common currency.
Both presidents also addressed the reduction in U.S. funding to West African nations, with President Ouattara expressing confidence that American aid would resume following an ongoing review. President Mahama viewed the funding cuts as an opportunity for West African nations to strengthen self-reliance and rethink their economic strategies.
Source: WAVN
