A dialogue restarted after months of tensions

The October 17, 2026, ministerial meeting in Dakar, co-chaired by Cheikh Niang, Senegalese Minister of Foreign Affairs for ECOWAS, and Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, Burkinabè Minister for AES, officially resumed exchanges between the two organizations. According to the final communiqué published by ECOWAS, this session represents the first official meeting since the withdrawal of the three AES member states (Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger) in January 2025.

Tensions between the two blocs date back to 2024, when the military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger denounced a lack of support from ECOWAS against the terrorist threat and economic sanctions deemed illegal. These frictions led to their withdrawal from ECOWAS and the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), formalized by the signing of the Liptako-Gourma Charter in September 2023 and the establishment of the AES Confederation in July 2024.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to building relations based on good neighborliness, respect for sovereignty, and the well-being of West African populations.

A final communiqué focused on cooperation and mutual respect

The joint communiqué issued after the Dakar meeting highlights three founding principles for future relations: good neighborliness, respect for sovereignty, and the dignity of populations. According to Jeune Afrique, both parties emphasized the « spirit of brotherhood, mutual respect, and openness » that marked their exchanges, while reaffirming their commitment to « maintaining good neighborly relations » (source).

The ministers also agreed to establish joint thematic working groups to draft a framework cooperation agreement. This framework, described as a shared ambition, will structure future exchanges between the two organizations, particularly in areas of mutual interest such as regional security, the economy, and infrastructure.

Working groups to materialize the framework agreement

The creation of thematic working groups, announced in the communiqués of both parties, represents a concrete step forward. According to La Vie Sénégalaise, these groups will have to « develop a framework cooperation agreement » based on the preliminary consultations held in Bamako in May 2025 (source). Future discussions must incorporate the specifics of both blocs, particularly their shared security challenges and cross-border economic issues.

The outcomes of these efforts will be presented for the ministers' consideration during a forthcoming session, with the date and venue to be determined through diplomatic channels. This gradual approach aims to avoid the pitfalls of past negotiations, which were marked by deep disagreements.

What this means here: implications for businesses and administrations in West Africa

For businesses and administrations in Benin and West Africa, this revival of dialogue between ECOWAS and the AES could open new commercial and security opportunities. A framework cooperation agreement would underpin the stabilization of cross-border trade, particularly in sectors such as agribusiness, infrastructure, and information technology.

Public administrations could benefit from improved regional coordination in cybersecurity and crisis management, two areas where ECOWAS and the AES share converging interests. Meanwhile, local businesses would be encouraged to diversify their partnerships to capitalize on the markets of the three AES states, pending the finalization of the framework agreement.

Finally, public tenders in the sub-region could evolve if the two blocs align their standards and procedures, thereby facilitating the participation of Beninese and West African businesses in joint projects.