Foreign ministers from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger met in Ouagadougou on Sunday to finalize strategies for their collective withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Marking one year since they first announced their intentions, the ministers reviewed a joint strategic document outlining negotiation terms with the regional bloc.
Mali’s foreign minister, Abdoulaye Diop, described the move as an opportunity to foster genuine brotherhood free from external interference.
Burkina Faso’s Jean Marie Traoré echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of creating a sub-regional space that truly reflects the aspirations of its citizens.
This meeting highlights the Sahel states’ united front in redefining regional alliances as they confront shared economic, security, and governance challenges.
The outcome of their efforts is expected to have significant implications for the future of regional cooperation in West Africa.
