Ghana's President John Mahama has expressed his country's willingness to play a bridging role between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), following a rift that led to Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso leaving ECOWAS to form the Alliance of Sahel States.

During his visit to Mali, President Mahama met with President Assimi Goita to discuss the insecurities in West Africa and the need to restore trust between the two regional blocs. The Ghanaian president emphasized that his country is prepared to play a key role in bridging the gap between ECOWAS and AES, citing the historic relations between Ghana and Mali.

The rift between ECOWAS and AES began when Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso withdrew from ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, citing the bloc's subservience to former colonial powers and inability to support their counterterrorism activities. The three countries have since been attempting to eliminate Western influence from their countries, including renaming monuments and cutting military connections with France.

President Mahama's initiative to restore trust between ECOWAS and AES is seen as a significant step towards promoting regional cooperation and stability in West Africa. The Ghanaian president's experience as a former chairman of ECOWAS and his country's strategic location make it an ideal mediator in the region.

In addition to discussing regional security, the two presidents also explored ways to increase bilateral trade between Ghana and Mali. They agreed to restore the Mali-Ghana cooperation committee, which last met in 2011, and to develop the southern corridor to facilitate the movement of commodities between the two countries.

To make these exchanges more effective, President Mahama emphasized the need to streamline customs procedures and upgrade infrastructure. The cooperation between Ghana and Mali is expected to have a positive impact on the region's economy and stability.

The development comes at a time when regional cooperation is crucial in addressing the security challenges facing West Africa. The rift between ECOWAS and AES has raised concerns about the effectiveness of regional organizations in addressing the security needs of their member states.

As Ghana takes on a more prominent role in promoting regional cooperation, it remains to be seen how successful President Mahama's initiative will be in bridging the gap between ECOWAS and AES. However, the move is seen as a positive step towards promoting stability and cooperation in West Africa.

Source: Joynews