Ghana’s Mahama initiates diplomatic bid to reintegrate AES bloc into ECOWAS

Ghana’s president, John Mahama, announced on Tuesday a fresh push to bring Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger back into the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, after the three military-led nations withdrew earlier this year. Mahama revealed that his administration has appointed a special envoy to begin high-level talks with the trio, aiming to reopen lines […]

Ghana’s president, John Mahama, announced on Tuesday a fresh push to bring Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger back into the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, after the three military-led nations withdrew earlier this year.

Mahama revealed that his administration has appointed a special envoy to begin high-level talks with the trio, aiming to reopen lines of communication and encourage their return to the political and economic alliance.

Speaking in Accra at the launch of ECOWAS’s 50th-anniversary celebrations, Mahama called the withdrawal “a regrettable development” and urged a shift toward “understanding, dialogue, and a willingness to listen and engage,” instead of resorting to blame or isolation.

Ghana’s diplomatic move comes on the heels of similar efforts by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who recently admitted that his attempts to persuade the three nations back into the bloc had so far been unsuccessful.

ECOWAS had reportedly invited the junta leaders to attend the Accra event, and while officials acknowledged the presence of representatives from the three nations, the junta leaders themselves did not attend.

Mahama, who assumed office in January, affirmed that he has made “prioritised diplomatic re-engagement with our Sahelian neighbours.”

Meanwhile, the three military-led countries have established their alliance, known as AES, and formally announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2025.

Three weeks ago, the junta-led states, under the Alliance of Sahel States, imposed a 0.5 per cent import duty on goods from ECOWAS.

The levy applies to all goods from ECOWAS countries entering any of the three nations, except for humanitarian aid.

The policy countered ECOWAS’s intention of ensuring free movement of goods between its members and the AES countries despite their official exit from the bloc in January.

In a related development, President Mahama Tuesday announced the suspension of the country’s top judge while she is investigated for misconduct.

The action against Supreme Court Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo came after three separate petitions called for her removal. Allegations against her include tampering with court records and misuse of public funds.

A spokesman for President John Mahama said in a statement he had, “in consultation with the Council of State, determined that a prima facie case has been established” and that Torkornoo would be suspended while she is investigated.

Specific details of the allegations that the five-member investigative committee will probe have not been made public.