Mahama calls for dialogue with Sahel States after ECOWAS exit

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).

The three countries, which formed the Alliance of Sahel States, have cited inconsistencies in ECOWAS’s operations as their reason for exiting the bloc.

However, in a bid to foster reconciliation, President Mahama extended an invitation to the breakaway nations to join the anniversary celebrations.

Speaking at the launch of ECOWAS’s 50th Anniversary in Accra on Tuesday, April 22, President Mahama described the departure of the three junta-led nations as a regrettable development, but stressed the importance of dialogue over isolation.

“The recent decision by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to withdraw from the ECOWAS is a regrettable development…we must respond not with isolation, recrimination, but with dialogue and the willing ability to listen and to engage,” he stated.

President Mahama emphasised the belief that unity and collaboration remain essential to achieving prosperity and stability across West Africa.

“Since assuming as president, I have prioritised diplomatic re-engagement with the Sahel region. Ghana has appointed a special envoy to engage in high level engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States. I have personally led missions to foster trust, rebuild communication channels and affirm our shared aspirations.

“These efforts affirms our believes that we have a shared destiny as a sub-region, and unity, however, difficult, remains the best part to shred prosperity and regional stability,” he stated.