The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, has been invited to participate in the upcoming West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) in Abuja, despite their official withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) earlier this year.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this during a private sector roundtable held in Lagos.
The three Sahel nations, all currently under military rule, formally exited ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, following a year-long notice period after announcing their departure.
The withdrawal came amid rising diplomatic tensions in the region.
However, Ambassador Tuggar emphasized that diplomatic relations remain in place.
“We have invited them,” he said, affirming continued ties between Nigeria and its northern neighbours.
“We also have, whether someone likes it or not, certain things that bring us together. For instance, we have the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission that has been doing so much good work,” he added.
Highlighting the importance of regional collaboration, the minister continued, “We have to put all of that aside and yes, we need them; we need the AES for security, but they need us too.”
The private sector roundtable marks the Ministry’s first formal engagement in the lead-up to WAES, which Tuggar described as a “strategic legacy initiative” championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other West African leaders.
The summit, scheduled for June 20–21 in Abuja, aims to transform regional economic structures from dependence to productivity while promoting integrated value chains.
It is expected to attract Heads of State, ministers, investors, and key regional institutions from across West Africa to discuss economic cooperation and sustainable growth.
