Policy Analyst Calls for ECOWAS to Open Dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger

Emmanuel Bensah, a policy analyst with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, has called on ECOWAS leadership to initiate dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in an effort to repair strained relations and address the tensions following the countries’ withdrawal requests from the regional bloc.

In December 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formally requested to leave ECOWAS, accusing the organisation of failing to protect its members and, in some cases, becoming a threat to their sovereignty. The request followed a series of coups and political instability in these countries, prompting ECOWAS to impose sanctions.

Despite the heightened tensions, Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, attended the inauguration of Ghana’s newly re-elected President John Dramani Mahama on January 7, 2024.

His presence at the swearing-in ceremony, which was also attended by ECOWAS Chairperson Bola Ahmed Tinubu, signals a potential opening for dialogue.

In an interview with Citi News, Bensah urged ECOWAS to capitalise on Mahama’s relationships, particularly his rapport with Traoré, to initiate backdoor discussions aimed at mending ties.

He believes that Mahama’s popularity and diplomatic standing could be pivotal in bringing the countries back into the fold of the regional body.

Bensah suggested that President Mahama’s position could play a critical role in restoring peace and trust. He emphasised the opportunity for ECOWAS to engage with Mahama and his team to strategise ways to restore these countries’ membership and tackle the underlying issues that led to their withdrawal requests.

“It is an opportunity for President Mahama and ECOWAS to seize to see what to do to rope them back in, riding on the back of the popularity that Mahama now has,” Bensah stated.

Bensah’s comments come at a time when ECOWAS faces mounting challenges in maintaining unity within the bloc. The withdrawal requests from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger highlight the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further fracturing of the regional body.

Bensah remains hopeful that ECOWAS will engage in the necessary conversations with President Mahama to explore avenues of reconciliation. His call underscores the importance of dialogue and diplomatic intervention in addressing the ongoing challenges facing the West African region.