The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is intensifying diplomatic efforts to ensure that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger cooperate on regional integration issues with the bloc, despite their withdrawal following successive military takeovers.

The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana, disclosed this in Accra on Tuesday, 30th September 2025, at the closing session of a two-day training workshop for Ghanaian journalists on information integrity and countering the spread of misinformation, disinformation, fake news, and anti-democratic narratives.

He emphasised that although the three nations have renounced their membership, ECOWAS is still actively engaging with their leadership to cooperate with the community.

According to him the Resident Representative recalled meetings held with the Foreign Ministers of the AES countries in Bamako by the President of the ECOWAS Commission and the recent visit of the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government HE President Julius Maada to Burkina Faso during which discussions focused on cooperation on matters of common concern on the security situation to strengthen regional stability.

Since the three states left the bloc and reshaped their political systems, H.E Gana said "We are engaging with them on matters of mutual interest."

Mali witnessed its first coup on 18th August 2020, when President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was deposed. A second coup followed on 24th May 2021, consolidating military rule under Colonel Assimi Goïta.

In neighbouring Burkina Faso, two coups occurred in 2022: the first on 24th January, which removed President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, and the second on 30th September, which brought Captain Ibrahim Traoré to power.

Niger experienced its coup on 26th July 2023, when the presidential guard detained and removed President Mohamed Bazoum, installing a military regime.

In response to mounting ECOWAS pressure to restore constitutional order, the three juntas jointly announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS on 28th January 2024, accusing the bloc of foreign interference.

The formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) by these juntas underscores this realignment, presenting ECOWAS with a rival structure that pursues different geopolitical priorities and external partnerships.

Nevertheless, ECOWAS’s decision to sustain engagement rather than sever ties reflects a pragmatic diplomatic strategy. Ambassador Gana’s comments underline the bloc’s conviction that regional stability depends on inclusion rather than isolation.