ECOWAS – AES: Alassane Ouattara calls for a return to dialogue
Abidjan, August 11, 2025 – Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara on Monday in Abidjan called for the resumption of talks between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), saying such a rapprochement would be “a very good thing for the peoples” of the subregion.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger withdrew from ECOWAS on September 16, 2023, to form the AES, marking a historic break in regional integration.
Speaking after a meeting with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, who was on a 24-hour official visit to Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Ouattara stressed that current political tensions are directly impacting the region’s economic situation.
“We believe that peace, security, and the fight against maritime piracy must be priorities,” he said, noting that Côte d’Ivoire “has always been open” and wishes to maintain cooperation with AES countries in all areas.
“They are our brothers,” the Ivorian head of state emphasized, underlining the need to avoid further deterioration of relations. He said he shares with his Sierra Leonean counterpart—who is also the current ECOWAS chair—the desire to reestablish dialogue with Sahelian nations.
“We will work together to ensure the safety of our AES brothers. They are our brothers, and we will not let them go. I will speak with them so they understand that our only aim is to contribute to peace and to their return home,” he insisted.
As part of his rotating presidency of ECOWAS, Julius Maada Bio is currently touring member states to gather their views and recommendations before reaching out to AES leaders.
