Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Mali have resumed talks with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), more than 18 months after the three countries withdrew from the regional bloc.
The two sides agreed on Saturday to establish joint working groups to develop a framework agreement for cooperation.
The three countries, led by military juntas withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025 after forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), following a series of military coups and tensions with the regional bloc.
Talks between ECOWAS and the AES have continued since January 2025, but Saturday’s meeting marked the first official ministerial-level engagement between the two sides.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, both sides welcomed the “spirit of fraternity, mutual respect and openness” demonstrated during the discussions.
They also emphasised the need to maintain good neighbourly relations, particularly through respect for national sovereignty.
The AES delegation was led by Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, Burkina Faso’s foreign minister, while Cheikh Niang, Senegal’s foreign minister, headed the ECOWAS delegation.
Since taking power, the military governments in Niger Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso have distanced themselves from France, their former colonial ruler, while strengthening ties with Russia.
They have also criticised West African coastal countries, including Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, over what they perceive as close ties with Paris.
In June 2025, Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s then foreign affairs minister, expressed optimism about the possibility of the three countries returning to ECOWAS
