ECOWAS, AES move to establish cooperation framework after Dakar meeting

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have agreed to establish joint working groups to develop a framework for cooperation between the two regional blocs.

The agreement was reached during their inaugural ministerial dialogue held in Dakar, Senegal, on Saturday, October 17.

The meeting aimed to lay the foundation for future cooperation amid efforts to maintain relations and address issues of common interest in West Africa.

In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, the two parties said the working groups would conduct technical consultations to develop a cooperation framework agreement for consideration by their respective ministers.

“The Parties express to establish joint thematic working groups to undertake technical consultations with the aim of developing a Cooperation Framework Agreement between ECOWAS and the Confederation of the AES,” the communiqué, shared on Monday, October 19, stated in part.

The agreement follows consultations held on May 22, 2025, in Bamako, Mali, where the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest.

At the Dakar meeting, the delegations also emphasised the historical, socio-cultural and economic ties between the peoples of West Africa.

They said future relations should be guided by good neighbourliness, respect for sovereignty, dignity and the well-being of the region’s populations.

The communiqué added that the proposed cooperation framework must be balanced, realistic and protect the interests of the people.

“The Parties affirm their willingness to achieving a cooperation framework that is balanced, realistic and preserves the interests of their peoples,” it said.

The ECOWAS delegation was led by Senegal’s Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, Cheikh Niang, who chairs the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.

Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, led the AES delegation in his capacity as chair of the ministerial steering committee of the confederation.

The two parties said the outcomes of the technical consultations would be submitted to the ministers for consideration before their next meeting.