Parallel moves strengthen rapprochement between ECOWAS and the Sahel“
Talks in Lomé and diplomatic moves in Dakar
Written by: Mohammed Omran
Signs of gradual convergence between the economic group of countries are increasing. West Africa (ECOWAS) and the Sahel Union across the region, driven by simultaneous diplomatic initiatives in Lomé, Dakar and Cotonou, in a context marked by institutional tensions that have persisted for several months.
In Lomé, an informal meeting held on the sidelines of the Togo-Sahel 2026-2028 Strategy, under the auspices of the Council President, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, laid the groundwork for a future formal framework for cooperation between the two regional blocs. The foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, along with the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Aliou Touré, and the organization's chief negotiator, Lansana Kouyaté, met around the negotiating table.
Organized cooperation
The discussions focused on the outlines of structured cooperation, particularly in the security and economic sectors, with an emphasis on transport corridors and preserving the gains of regional integration.
Following the discussions, the Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso stated: “The Sahel Union remains open to all options, because the most important thing is to preserve what is necessary for the well-being of the people of West Africa.”.
In Dakar, Senegal's Minister for African Integration and Foreign Affairs, Cheikh Niang, told the National Assembly on Friday that Senegal has a "strong chance" of taking over the rotating presidency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio's term draws to a close in the coming weeks.
Togolese Prime Minister Ronald Wadani confirmed that there is a strong possibility that Senegal will assume the rotating presidency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for next year, stressing Dakar's desire to integrate this responsibility into the dynamics of regional crisis management, particularly in Mali.
Combining the political and executive powers of the organization
This possibility comes at a time when Senegal already occupies a pivotal position within the organization. In December 2025, during the Abuja Summit, the country won the chairmanship of the ECOWAS Commission for the period 2026-2030. The potential rotating chairmanship of the Conference of Heads of State would allow it to combine the political and executive powers of the organization, in a context marked by security challenges in the Sahel region and the reshaping of relations with the economic and social agency.
In Cotonou, the inauguration of Benin's president, Romuald Wadani, also signaled a desire for engagement. In his opening address on Sunday, May 24, he stressed the need to strengthen regional cooperation in the face of security threats.
He declared in a speech that included an implicit call for regional rapprochement: “In a sub-region facing the dangers of terrorism, we are obliged to work together.”.
The presence of delegations from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger at the ceremony was widely noted, indicating a desire to ease diplomatic tensions.
Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Alamine Zeine spoke of a new path opening up, while the foreign ministers of Mali and Burkina Faso participated in preparatory discussions.
This development comes after a period of intense tension between Benin and Niger, characterized by border closures, mutual accusations of destabilization, and diplomatic disputes related to the regional political context. Despite these tensions, shared economic interests, particularly with regard to oil and port infrastructure, continue to bolster the prospects for normalization.
Throughout the sub-region, these parallel initiatives reflect a gradual shift towards relaunching dialogue between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Sahel Union. Despite continuing institutional differences, the various capitals appear to be moving towards a common goal: establishing structured cooperation mechanisms focused on regional stability, collective security, and safeguarding the interests of the people of West Africa.
