Ghana’s President John Mahama concluded his AES tour in Burkina Faso, discussing regional security, economic ties, and reconciliation with ECOWAS. The AES bloc, comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, is strengthening cooperation through a joint military force, a common passport, and a media initiative.

Ghana’s President, John Mahama, paid a working visit to Burkina Faso on Monday, marking the conclusion of his tour of Alliance of Sahel States (AES) countries. His visit to Burkina Faso followed trips to Mali and Niger over the weekend.

During his engagements, Mahama held discussions with his counterparts on key issues, including bilateral relations, economic development, and regional security concerns in the Sahel. Official statements emphasized that these talks aimed at strengthening cooperation among the nations.

While in Mali, President Mahama reaffirmed that despite the AES countries' withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the “brotherly love” between their peoples should persist. He emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue and reconciliation between AES states and ECOWAS to maintain regional stability.

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger established the Alliance of Sahel States in September 2023 and formally exited ECOWAS in late January 2024. As part of their collective security strategy, the three nations decided to deploy a joint force of 5,000 soldiers to address the escalating threats posed by terrorist groups in the region.

In addition to their military cooperation, the AES member states have also introduced a common passport to facilitate movement among their citizens. Furthermore, they have announced plans to launch a joint web television channel aimed at countering “disinformation” and providing a unified media platform for the alliance.