ECOWAS and the Confederation of Sahel States, commonly known as AES, agreed to establish joint thematic working groups following their October 17 ministerial meeting in Dakar, according to accounts published on October 19. The groups will conduct technical negotiations towards a framework governing relations between the two organisations. (lessor.ml)
Cooperation after institutional separation
Burkina Faso’s foreign minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, led the AES delegation, while Senegalese foreign minister Cheikh Niang headed the ECOWAS side. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger left ECOWAS in January 2025; the Dakar encounter was described as their first formal ministerial-level engagement with the bloc since that departure, although contacts had continued. (thecable.ng)
The negotiations address the need to preserve economic, human and security relationships despite the institutional split. Both sides reaffirmed sovereignty, good neighbourliness and mutual respect as principles for future cooperation. (fr.apanews.net)
What remains unresolved
The working groups’ conclusions are to return to ministers at a subsequent session, whose date and location will be determined through diplomatic channels. The reported outcome is therefore a negotiating mechanism—not a final settlement establishing new border, trade or movement arrangements. This is an important ongoing development receiving further coverage during the briefing window, rather than a meeting held on October 19. (lessor.ml)