Foreign ministers from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have voiced deep disappointment over the collapse of talks with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as preparations continue for the second Summit of Heads of State of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in Ouagadougou.
The ministers, meeting under the framework of the Economic and Social Association (ESA), are finalising documents to be presented to their leaders during the summit scheduled for 22-23 December 2025 in Bamako, Mali.
Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, who chaired the session, criticised the lack of engagement from ECOWAS despite earlier efforts to rebuild trust.
The AES delegation recalled the positive atmosphere created during a landmark meeting held on 22 May 2025 in Bamako, which brought together AES foreign ministers and the President of the ECOWAS Commission.
It was the first formal encounter between the two sides since Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2024.
According to the ministers, ECOWAS failed to follow through on commitments made at its June 2025 summit in Abuja to resume dialogue with the three countries.
They warned that the breakdown threatens ongoing efforts to rebuild cooperation between the Sahel alliance and the wider West African community at a time when regional stability remains fragile.
