During a visit to Mali, Ghanaian President John Mahama vowed to mend relations between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), emphasizing the need for mutual respect.
Mahama acknowledged the AES—a coalition of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger that left ECOWAS in 2024—as an irreversible reality. The three nations exited the bloc in response to sanctions following military coups, framing their departure as a step toward self-determination.
ECOWAS has given them until the end of July to reconsider, and Mahama’s diplomatic mission reflects growing efforts to prevent a permanent split. Having already visited Niger, he is set to travel to Burkina Faso next.
His visit comes after Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara urged him to persuade the Sahel states to rethink their exit, highlighting the delicate balance between regional unity and national sovereignty.
With tensions high, Mahama’s role as a mediator may shape the future of West African diplomacy.
