Mahama Invites Sahel Military Leaders to ECOWAS Summit Despite Their Exit
President John Mahama has extended a formal invitation to the military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—members of the newly formed Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—to attend the upcoming ECOWAS summit in Accra, which will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of the regional bloc.
This move comes in spite of the official withdrawal of these three Sahel countries from ECOWAS earlier this year. Their exit, and subsequent formation of the AES, has raised concerns regarding trade, diplomacy, and regional security. However, Mahama, acting in his capacity as summit host, chose to invite them personally, aiming to open the door for renewed engagement and potential reconciliation.
Speaking at the launch of the anniversary celebrations, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa explained that while these nations are no longer part of ECOWAS, the decision to invite them reflects the host president’s goodwill and efforts to encourage reunification. He clarified that because of the countries’ formal separation from ECOWAS, it was within Mahama’s sole discretion to extend the invitation. “They are not coming as ECOWAS members, but as special guests of the Ghanaian president,” Ablakwa emphasized.
According to him, Mahama’s initiative to include the AES leaders met no resistance from other ECOWAS heads of state. This, he noted, is an encouraging sign of the broader desire within the bloc to mend fractured relationships and pursue reintegration. He also mentioned that Mahama had consulted with Nigerian President and current ECOWAS Chair, Bola Tinubu, who expressed support for the dialogue. Mahama is expected to present a comprehensive report of his engagements with the military-led AES nations at the next ECOWAS summit.
Despite the optimism, questions persist about the legitimacy of including the AES countries in ECOWAS deliberations. ECOWAS expert Fatau Musa highlighted the long-standing complexities, noting that even before their official withdrawal, the Sahel nations were often reluctant to collaborate deeply with the regional bloc. He pointed to historical resistance, such as Algeria’s opposition to ECOWAS’s Sahel strategies and the exclusivity of the G5 Sahel group.
Nonetheless, the invitation signals a strategic attempt by Mahama and ECOWAS to rebuild dialogue and reestablish trust, aiming for future cooperation even in the face of recent divisions.
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