On March 5, 2025, at a joint conference in Abidjan, the Presidents of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, John Dramani Maham and Alassane Ouattara, made a strong call for the return of the countries of the Alliance of Sahelian States (AES) to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This call comes in the context of growing economic and security challenges in the region, and underlines the importance of regional cooperation to address these issues.

Context of the Alliance of Sahelian States

The AES, which brings together countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, was formed to address the specific security and economic challenges of the Sahel region. However, these countries have experienced political upheavals, which led to their exclusion from ECOWAS. In 2024, ECOWAS imposed economic and political sanctions on these countries, which exacerbated tensions and humanitarian crises in the region.

Key Figures

• Economic impact: According to World Bank data, the sanctions imposed on the AES countries led to a 3.5% contraction in their GDP in 2024. This situation has also had repercussions on neighboring economies. In particular Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, which depend on trade with these countries.
• Regional Security: ECOWAS reported a 25% increase in incidents of violence and insecurity in the Sahel region in 2024. The return of the ESA countries to ECOWAS could strengthen collective security and counterterrorism efforts.
• Affected Population: Nearly 10 million people in the ESA countries are currently food insecure. The return of these countries to ECOWAS could facilitate access to humanitarian assistance and regional cooperation to resolve these crises.

The Presidents’ Arguments

During their conference, the Presidents of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana highlighted several key points.

• Regional Unity: They called for a unified approach to common challenges. “The security and prosperity of our nations are interconnected. We must work together to overcome the obstacles that divide us,” said President John Dramani Maham.
• Economic Cooperation: The two leaders highlighted the importance of economic cooperation to boost growth. Intra-ECOWAS trade reached USD 12 billion in 2023, but it could increase by 30% if the ESA countries were reintegrated, according to ECOWAS estimates.
• Political stability: They also stressed that the return of the ESA countries to ECOWAS could promote political stability. ECOWAS has a crucial role to play in mediating conflicts and promoting democracy in the region.

Challenges to Overcome

Despite these compelling arguments, several challenges remain.

• Political Reforms: ESA countries must demonstrate their commitment to democracy and the rule of law. ECOWAS has made it clear that the countries’ return to the organization will depend on their ability to restore civilian governments.
• Security: The security situation in these countries remains a concern. Armed groups continue to threaten stability, and ECOWAS will need to develop effective strategies to address these challenges.
• Internal Reactions: Public opinion in ECOWAS countries may be divided on the issue of the ESA countries’ return. Some fear that this could lead to further instability.

Bilateral Cooperation

Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana together account for more than 60% of the world’s cocoa production. They also discussed issues related to mining and energy, as well as major ECOWAS projects. In particular, the Abidjan-Lagos corridor and the common currency, the Eco.

« With regard to bilateral cooperation, we reaffirmed our common desire to support the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative and to strengthen cooperation between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire in the field of mining and energy, and the fight against illegal gold mining », said the Ivorian President.

The two heads of state also discussed the need to effectively combat global warming, maritime piracy, and all forms of trafficking in the sub-region.

Regional unity in the face of common challenges

The presidents’ call for the return of the ESA countries to ECOWAS is a strong signal of the importance of regional unity in the face of common challenges. With alarming figures concerning the economic and security impact of sanctions, it is imperative that African leaders work together to find lasting solutions.

Regional cooperation is essential to ensure a stable and prosperous future for all countries in the region. Ultimately, the success of this initiative will depend on the willingness of the countries concerned to commit to the path of democracy and cooperation.