Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, reported progress in his mediation efforts with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, after the three Sahel nations announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Speaking at the Doha Forum for political dialogue in Qatar on Sunday, Faye expressed optimism about the ongoing discussions.
“I am making progress with this mission,” he stated, noting that the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) following their exit from ECOWAS was a response to the security challenges these nations face, particularly jihadist violence.
“There is nothing today to prevent the Alliance of Sahel States from being maintained,” he continued.
However, Faye emphasized that this should not lead to the disintegration of ECOWAS, which remains crucial for regional stability.
The three countries, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced in January that they were leaving ECOWAS, accusing the bloc of being overly influenced by France and failing to support them in their fight against jihadist insurgencies.
Their exit will become official in January 2025, one year after the announcement.
In response, ECOWAS appointed Faye as a “facilitator” in July to mediate and encourage the countries to reconsider their departure.
The Sahel states, now aligned with Russia and severing ties with France, have formed the AES in an effort to secure their borders and navigate the complex geopolitical landscape of the region.
Faye also addressed the need for reform within ECOWAS, acknowledging the bloc’s achievements, such as improved movement of people and goods, but highlighting the governance challenges that need to be addressed.
“The problems of governance, which like many multilateral institutions, require reform to adapt them to the challenges of our time,” he said.
With the ECOWAS region having experienced a series of coups since 2020, Faye underscored the importance of revitalizing the institution to ensure it remains effective in the face of current political and security challenges.
In addition to his diplomatic efforts, Faye is focused on securing investment to support Senegal’s economic transformation.
“Senegal is nobody’s preserve but that of the Senegalese people,” he asserted, emphasizing the country’s openness to partnerships based on mutual respect for sovereignty and social standards.
The ECOWAS summit scheduled for Sunday was anticipated to address these ongoing issues as well as broader regional concerns.
AFP
