Senegal “making progress” in getting Sahel trio to remain in ECOWAS

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye says he is making progress in mediating with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, in an effort to get them to remain in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The three Sahel nations announced their withdrawal in January, accusing the bloc of aligning with France and failing to support their fight against jihadist insurgents. Their exit becomes effective in January 2025. The trio have formed the Alliance of Sahel States as they pivot toward Russia.

Appointed by ECOWAS in July as a facilitator, Faye told the Doha Forum in Qatar that maintaining the Alliance of Sahel States need not lead to ECOWAS disintegration. He also called for reforms to address governance issues and adapt the bloc to modern challenges.

Faye’s comments come ahead of an upcoming ECOWAS summit Sunday. He was in Qatar as part of a diplomatic tour aimed at attracting foreign investment for Senegal’s economic transformation plan.