Nigeria Leads ECOWAS-AES Talks to Restore Regional Cooperation

Nigeria Leads ECOWAS-AES Talks to Restore Regional Cooperation

Nigeria is leading diplomatic efforts to restore cohesion between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) as regional leaders seek to strengthen cooperation and preserve regional integration.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the first round of discussions between ECOWAS and the AES in Dakar, Senegal.

According to a statement by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the high-level meeting represents a significant step towards rebuilding engagement between the two regional blocs.

The discussions are aimed at aligning the strategic positions of ECOWAS member states and facilitating targeted engagements at ministerial and technical levels to address shared regional concerns.

The meeting is also expected to achieve agreement on the draft General Framework Agreement between the two blocs ahead of the ECOWAS Summit scheduled to hold in Abuja in December 2026.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to promoting peace, security and regional cooperation, stressing the importance of ensuring that the withdrawal of AES member states does not undermine the longstanding cultural, historical and geographical ties among West African countries.

The diplomatic initiative underscores Nigeria’s efforts to encourage dialogue and strengthen regional relationships in pursuit of stability and collective development across West Africa.

Nigeria Leads ECOWAS-AES Talks to Restore Regional Cooperation