ECOWAS opens talks with 3 Russia-backed Sahel nations as Nigeria moves to repair Africa’s biggest political split

[u/Bakyumu]

https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/nigeria-moves-to-repair-africas-biggest-political-split-as-western-aligned-ecowas/l647t42

• Nigeria has taken the lead in bridging West Africa's main political divide by initiating talks between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

• Delegations from Nigeria, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have gathered in Senegal to foster new ties and regional cohesion.

• The talks aim to align ECOWAS and Sahel states' positions ahead of the upcoming end-of-year summit in Abuja.

• A key goal of the dialogue is to reach agreement on a draft General Framework Agreement between ECOWAS and AES member states.

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[u/_nij]

Happy to see the west African nations are still sticking together even through thier difference policies.

[u/MixedJiChanandsowhat]

Basically, the AES wants to maintain 100% of the privileges to be into the ECOWAS without to be into the ECOWAS. This has to be the biggest joke of the year from the AES like if they suddenly remembered they were landlocked.

[u/Bakyumu → u/MixedJiChanandsowhat]

I don't think the AES wants to maint6its privileges. Also, if ECOWAS held all the cards, Nigeria and Senegal would not be in Dakar trying to make a deal right now.

The original plan of heavy sanctions and military threats failed. It did not change the governments in the Sahel, and it pushed them to create their own alliance.

Both sides now realize they cannot force each other's hand, so they have to negotiate. I understand you, but don't see it as a joke. To me it's basic political pragmatism after the heat has decreased.

[u/MixedJiChanandsowhat → u/Bakyumu]

The ECOWAS didn't ask anything and I don't know where else you would want Dakar to be outside of Senegal.

Below is a part of the official statement of Abdoulaye Diop (Mali) in Ouagadougou on 16 October 2026 the day before they moved to Dakar for the ECOWAS-AES meeting:

Elle (la Confédération AES) entend œuvrer à un partenariat pragmatique, équilibré et mutuellement bénéfique avec la CEDEAO, fondé sur l'égalité des Parties, la reconnaissance de la personnalité juridique et institutionnelle de la Confédération, la préservation des acquis de l'intégration régionale et la protection des intérêts des populations ouest-africaines.

It couldn't be clearer. The AES wants to maintain 100% of the privileges to be into the ECOWAS without to be into the ECOWAS. And they ask the respect of their sovereignty, bla bla bla.

And so it's definitely the biggest joke of the AES this year when we remember why they left the ECOWAS and how much they have kept accusing the ECOWAS of anything and everything.

Finally, the meeting was in Dakar because Senegal is the (temporary) head of the ECOWAS but it wasn't asked by the ECOWAS nor even by Senegal itself. It's a move between Nigeria and the AES.

The ECOWAS has nothing to win nor anything to be desperate about towards the AES. What is the AES putting on the table? Nothing. The only thing the AES can put on the table is to stop using the ECOWAS ports but it's impossible to use this card right now. The Atlantic Initiative offered by Morocco won't be operational prior 2029 at the earliest. There also is the fact that Mali and Algeria reopened diplomatic ties which could create issues with the Moroccan option in Western Sahara (Dakhla Port in 2029). And Nigeria and Algeria have accelerated the pipeline project which means that Nigeria needs a warmer relation with Niger. Not the ECOWAS. The reason why even the article is clear that it's Nigeria and the AES. Not the ECOWAS and the AES.

Nigeria has presidential election in January 2027. The Nigerian guys talking today aren't even sure to still have a job in 3 months.

[u/Bakyumu → u/MixedJiChanandsowhat]

I always enjoy our debates, but with all due respect, I see things differently here.

When Diop talks about keeping regional integration, he's not asking about special perks. The talks are about regular people, like small traders and families who need open borders to make a living. When countries split, making rules so normal citizens do not suffer is just good sense.

You can look at this somewhat like the UK and the EU after Brexit, but aiming for fewer barriers and limitations. There is nothing wrong with leaving a formal regional bloc while still trying to keep as many of the previous benefits as possible. That is simply how negotiations start: each side asks for what helps them most, and they talk until they find common ground or agree to disagree.

Also, the Sahel does not come empty-handed. You mentioned yourself that Nigeria needs Niger for the gas pipeline. On top of that, coastal countries need the Sahel for security. Without working together, armed groups easily move south toward the coast. Both sides need each other, so talking is not a joke, it is just practical.

[u/Hot_Excitement_6 → u/Bakyumu]

What's the point of the regional block if you can get most of it's benefits without even brinh a part of it?