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Tue, 21 Jan 2025 Headlines

Ghana's recognition of Alliance of Sahel States with Gbevlo Lartey appointed as special envoy to cause diplomatic tension?

  Tue, 21 Jan 2025
Larry Gbevlo-Lartey appointed as Ghanas Special Envoy to Alliance of Sahel StatesLarry Gbevlo-Lartey appointed as Ghana's Special Envoy to Alliance of Sahel States

Ghana has recognized the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a regional bloc formed by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to address shared security concerns, promote economic development, and enhance cooperation among member states.

In a significant diplomatic move, President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Larry Gbevlo-Lartey as Ghana’s Special Envoy to the Alliance. The decision is expected to stir tensions with Western powers, particularly France, which has opposed the bloc’s formation.

Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, a retired military officer and former National Security Coordinator of Ghana, is known for his extensive experience in security and diplomacy. His appointment signals Ghana’s intent to strengthen ties with the Alliance and support regional efforts to tackle security and governance challenges in the Sahel.

Ghana’s recognition of the Alliance is not unexpected, given its origins. The bloc was formed in 2023 after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) threatened military intervention in Niger to restore civilian rule following a coup. In response, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, all led by military juntas, broke away from ECOWAS to establish the Alliance of Sahel States.

The relationship between Ghana and Burkina Faso had been tense in the past, especially after former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo accused Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, of harboring Russian mercenaries. However, Traoré’s attendance at President Mahama’s inauguration, notably while visibly armed, was seen as a gesture of solidarity, signaling a shift in bilateral relations.

The Sahel region remains one of the most unstable areas in Africa, grappling with terrorism, insurgency, and widespread displacement. These challenges have compounded an already dire humanitarian crisis, including severe food insecurity. The Alliance of Sahel States has positioned itself as a collective response to these issues, independent of traditional regional powers like ECOWAS.

So far, ECOWAS has not commented on Ghana’s decision to recognize the Alliance or on the appointment of Gbevlo-Lartey as a special envoy. The move reflects Ghana’s pragmatic approach to regional diplomacy and its acknowledgement of the shifting power dynamics within West Africa.

This recognition marks a new chapter in Ghana’s foreign policy and underscores its willingness to engage with emerging blocs to address the region's complex challenges.

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Comments

Prince Abibirim | 1/21/2025 4:43:24 PM

What diplomatic tension? It's a fool who doesn't recognize his next door neighbors especially when others are corrupt and puppeteerd by the enemies of our entire continent!. Ghana is the main gateway to Burkina and therefore a solid economic and trade partner while the ECOWARDS are under instructions from neocolonial eu and us demons. Someone in Africa MUST show some BACKBONE!

Should Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) be privatized?

Started: 11-02-2025 | Ends: 11-03-2025

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