President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is maintaining dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the three Sahelian nations that recently withdrew from the bloc to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Speaking at the Jubilee House on Friday, September 19, 2025, during a courtesy call by Germany’s newly appointed Ambassador to Ghana, President Mahama stressed that regional unity is crucial in tackling West Africa’s pressing security and development challenges.
He cautioned that the absence of cooperation could fuel instability and accelerate the spread of terrorism across the subregion.
“One of the areas we want to thank Germany for is its collaboration with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC). The partnership has been very useful in terms of training and strategic thinking,” he said.
He added that continued solidarity was vital despite political divisions. “The AES countries have broken away from ECOWAS, but we are engaged in ongoing dialogue because the challenges they face are not theirs alone. Without unity, violent extremism could easily spill over into the wider region.”
Germany’s new Ambassador, Frederick Landshoft, commended President Mahama for his leadership in both Ghana and the wider region.
“The energy of your administration is remarkable. I commend you on your achievements, especially in strengthening the macroeconomy and gaining international recognition,” he said.
Ambassador Landshoft noted that Germany values its 50-year partnership with Ghana and is eager to deepen collaboration in areas including security, democracy, and economic growth.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger — was formed after the countries withdrew from ECOWAS following a series of coups. The confederation seeks to consolidate political, economic, and security cooperation among its members.
