New ECOWAS president urges Sahel states to re-join
The regional body’s new president, Julius Maada Bio, has reiterated his wish that the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) reintegrate into ECOWAS, reported Africa News on 15th August.
Maada Bio, who is also the president of Sierra Leone, assumed the ECOWAS presidency in June 2025 and is hoping that the good relations he has with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger will work in his favour, according to the outlet.
The three junta-led countries formally announced their exit from the 15-member ECOWAS bloc in January this year, following the 2024 formation of their own alliance. They departed in unfavourable conditions, when ECOWAS imposed sanctions on the three states and suspended their memberships in response to undemocratic rule.
The AES has emerged as a parallel regional framework focused on self-determination, sovereignty and cooperation outside of traditional West African structures. The group has recently been accelerating plans to establish economic independence from ECOWAS and create an array of institutions to support independence and reduce reliance on external donors.
Their plans include the establishment of the Confederal Bank for Investment and Development (BCID-AES) which would act as a strategic tool for long-term transformation, prioritising the mobilisation of local resources and the reduction of reliance on foreign aid.
The broader schedule for institutional development within the AES includes plans for joint military cooperation and agricultural initiatives. The timeline for launches remains uncertain during what is described by the outlet as a pivotal time for the region – for both ECOWAS and AES.
Facing growing threats of terrorism, climate change, military coups and poverty, the division of political and economic unions increases instability. Maada Bio stressed the importance of maintaining regional unity as it deals with ever-present challenges, according to the outlet. He’s pledged to prioritise security cooperation, democracy, economic integration and institutional credibility during his tenure.
Africa News, Maghrebi
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