Sahel nations meet with ECOWAS members

On September 17 in Dakar, representatives from the Sahel Alliance—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—held their first official meeting with members of the newly restricted Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which now includes only 12 countries. The meeting marked a symbolic step toward reconciliation after the Sahel nations had left ECOWAS in January 2024 and formally withdrew a year later.

ECOWAS reshaped its membership

The ECOWAS group has undergone a transformation, reducing its membership to 12 countries, excluding the Sahel nations. This change reflects a shift in regional politics and economic priorities, as the Sahel countries have pursued their own regional cooperation through the Sahel Alliance. The coastal states now form the core of the restructured ECOWAS.

Efforts to rebuild cooperation

The meeting aimed to establish a framework for cooperation between the Sahel Alliance and the restructured ECOWAS. However, no formal agreement or detailed plan has been finalized yet, as the two groups continue to navigate the aftermath of their political and economic rift. The goal is to foster collaboration despite ongoing tensions.

Call for emotional restraint

Sierra Leone, a member of the restructured ECOWAS, urged its counterparts to "set aside emotions in the reconciliation process." This appeal highlights the delicate nature of the negotiations, as both sides seek to rebuild trust and cooperation while managing unresolved political disputes.

Economic interdependence remains key

The Sahel countries rely heavily on transport routes that connect their landlocked economies to the coastal markets of ECOWAS members. In return, the coastal states benefit from the economic activities of the Sahel nations. This mutual dependence underscores the importance of maintaining economic ties, even as political differences persist.