ECOWAS at 50: Mahama advocates for dialogue with Alliance of Sahel States amid ECOWAS Rift
President John Dramani Mahama has called for renewed diplomatic engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Speaking at the launch of ECOWAS’s 50th Anniversary in Accra on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, President Mahama described the departure of the three nations as a regrettable development but emphasized the importance of dialogue over isolation.
“The recent decision by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS is a regrettable development…we must respond not with isolation, recrimination, but with dialogue and the willing ability to listen and to engage”.
The three countries, which formed the Alliance of Sahel States, cited inconsistencies in ECOWAS’s operations as their reason for exiting the bloc.
In response, President Mahama extended an invitation to the breakaway nations to join the anniversary celebrations, signaling his commitment to fostering reconciliation.
Highlighting his administration’s efforts, President Mahama noted that Ghana has appointed a special envoy to engage in high-level discussions with the Alliance of Sahel States.
He also shared his personal involvement in missions aimed at rebuilding trust, reopening communication channels, and affirming shared aspirations.
“These efforts affirm our belief that we have a shared destiny as a sub-region, and unity, however difficult, remains the best path to shared prosperity and regional stability”.
