AES-ECOWAS: Dakar launches the drafting of a framework cooperation agreement

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Confederation of Sahel States (CSA) held their first ministerial meeting dedicated to dialogue on cooperation this Saturday, October 17, 2026, in Dakar. The two parties agreed to establish joint working groups with a view to reaching a framework agreement on cooperation.

ECOWAS and the ESA held discussions in Dakar to define the foundations for cooperation between the two regional organizations. According to the joint communiqué, the discussions were conducted under the banner of "fraternity, mutual respect, and openness."

The ECOWAS delegation was led by Cheikh Niang, Senegal's Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs, and Senegalese Abroad, who also serves as Chairman of the organization's Council of Ministers. The ESA delegation was headed by Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, Burkina Faso's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Confederation's Ministerial Steering Committee.

Both sides recalled the historical, socio-cultural, and economic ties that unite the peoples of West Africa. They also stressed the need to base their relations on the principles of good neighborliness, respect for sovereignty, dignity, and the well-being of populations.

Beyond declarations of principle, this meeting aims to structure discussions around areas of common interest. Following up on consultations held on May 22, 2025, in Bamako, Mali, the two organizations continued their exchanges to identify key areas to guide their cooperation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, ECOWAS and the ESA agreed to establish joint thematic working groups. Their mission will be to conduct the technical discussions necessary for the development of a framework cooperation agreement between the two entities.

The conclusions of this work will be submitted to the ministers for their consideration at their next session. The date and location of this meeting will be determined later through diplomatic channels.

Senegal praised for its hospitality

In their joint statement, the two delegations expressed their gratitude to the President of the Republic of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, who holds the current chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. They also thanked the Senegalese government and people for their hospitality and commitment to West African integration.