Senegal's president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has made a strong push for cooperation between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), despite the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali from ECOWAS earlier this year.

The three West African countries that make up the AES exited ECOWAS in January, citing the organization's lack of support for their efforts to combat terrorism and its subservience to former colonial power France. However, Senegal's president believes that collaboration between ECOWAS and the AES is crucial for security in West Africa, particularly in countering terrorism, managing migratory concerns, and strengthening business relationships.

At the Doha Forum for political dialogue in Qatar, President Faye stated that he is making progress in cooperating with the AES, emphasizing the importance of preserving strong relations among its members. "We share borders with other ECOWAS member countries, and if those countries have security problems, we will have security problems," he noted.

The fallout between ECOWAS and the AES has been a significant concern for regional stability. The three countries that exited ECOWAS have followed comparable routes to what they see as a more promising economic future, and have overthrown previous regimes in coups. ECOWAS initially responded by declaring that it would take necessary steps to reinstate the countries back to their original bloc, including setting up economic sanctions against said nations. However, since then, ECOWAS has been reluctant to take any action, even lifting the sanctions, and cooperating on security deals.

President Faye's efforts to facilitate cooperation between ECOWAS and the AES are seen as a crucial step towards addressing the security concerns in the region. The Alliance of Sahel States is now confronting a terrorist danger, and it is critical to preserve strong relations among its members to effectively combat this threat.

The implications of Senegal's push for cooperation are far-reaching. If successful, it could lead to increased regional security, improved economic ties, and a stronger collective response to the terrorist threat. However, the challenges ahead are significant, and it remains to be seen whether ECOWAS and the AES can put aside their differences and work towards a common goal.

As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Senegal's president has taken a crucial step towards promoting regional cooperation and stability in West Africa. His efforts serve as a reminder that, in the face of adversity, collaboration and diplomacy can be powerful tools in achieving a more secure and prosperous future for all.