President John Dramani Mahama has shared exciting developments following his efforts to resolve tensions between the Sahel countries and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc.

Addressing journalists on Friday, July 18, he disclosed that the three countries, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, together with ECOWAS, have expressed willingness to rebuild their relationship.In 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger broke away from the community due to diplomatic tensions. The trio accused ECOWAS of failing to safeguard member states and deviating from founding principles and Pan-African spirit.

In response to these claims, ECOWAS clarified that it did not receive formal notice before their withdrawal; therefore, it called for a dialogue to address their concerns.

"The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves," it added.

“We held an ECOWAS meeting barely three weeks ago and happily, the whole mood has changed and there is now an appetite for rapprochement between ECOWAS and the three countries,” he said.

The triad established a confederation known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in 2023.

In January this year, President Mahama extended an invitation to the AES to witness his inauguration ceremony as an attempt to reopen dialogue between the alliance and ECOWAS.He later toured all three countries in the same regard, aiming to promote regional peace, stability, and economic integration in West Africa.

“I came into office in January, one of the first things I did was to invite the leaders [of the Alliance of Sahel States] to my inauguration as President and after that, I visited all three countries and tried to establish a channel of communication and continuous dialogue with them," he added.With talks underway, President Mahama is optimistic about achieving lasting peace and reconciliation.

“We held an ECOWAS meeting barely three weeks ago and happily, the whole mood has changed and there is now an appetite for rapprochement between ECOWAS and the three countries.

“But in the meantime, we all agree that let’s leave the protocols, let’s allow people to move freely, let goods be able to move freely across our borders. Let’s encourage the transitory and most of the countries that imposed all the sanctions have virtually raised all the sanctions,” he added.

Currently, twelve members make up the ECOWAS, namely Benin, Cabo Verde, and Côte d’Ivoire.

Others include: The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.