President Julius Maada Bio, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, has called for renewed engagement and stronger collaboration between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
The appeal came during a high-level courtesy visit from Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, to State House in Freetown.
Welcoming the delegation, President Bio emphasized the critical need to bolster ties between ECOWAS and the AES bloc, citing their role in advancing trade, regional integration, free movement, and collective security.
“It is imperative that we build a stronger relationship between ECOWAS and the AES nations and harness this partnership for the advancement of our Community,” President Bio stated.
He reiterated his commitment to supporting democratic transitions and credible elections across West Africa, specifically referencing Guinea’s transitional process and upcoming elections in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau.
President Bio also proposed the hosting of a Special Summit to reflect on ECOWAS’ 50-year legacy and chart a united vision for the region’s future amid evolving geopolitical realities.
In response, Dr. Touray provided a comprehensive update on the current state of the ECOWAS Community, acknowledging the immense challenges facing the new Chair. He pledged the Commission’s unwavering support and detailed administrative developments, including financial discussions on the ECOWAS Community Levy.
Dr. Touray also revealed plans to deploy an assessment mission to Sierra Leone and Guinea to help mediate the longstanding Yenga border dispute, as part of broader peacebuilding initiatives in the subregion.
