Senegal Advocates Reconciliation Between ECOWAS and Breakaway Sahel Bloc

Senegal’s president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has called for improved collaboration between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which comprises Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali. President Faye made this call while speaking at the Doha Forum in Qatar. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of regional unity to resist terrorism, address migration challenges, and foster economic growth. The AES was formed in January following the three nations’ withdrawal from ECOWAS, citing dissatisfaction with the bloc’s perceived subservience to France and insufficient support in combating terrorism. In response, ECOWAS imposed sanctions, though these have since been lifted without significant action to reintegrate the breakaway members. Although it is a member of ECOWAS, President Faye noted that Senegal is improving its bilateral relations with the AES. He then stressed the need for ECOWAS to cooperate with the alliance to ensure regional security.

SOURCE: BUSINESS INSIDER