Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama arrived in Mali on Saturday for a one-day visit during which he held talks with Malian President Assimi Goita on regional tensions, economic ties, and security cooperation. Following his visit to Bamako, Mahama traveled to neighboring Niger.
The Ghanaian leader pledged to rebuild trust between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after months of strained relations.
Speaking in Bamako, Mahama acknowledged a “breakdown in trust” between the two blocs and vowed to do “everything possible” to repair it.
“We will do everything possible to restore this trust,” he stated, underlining his commitment to regional dialogue and diplomacy.
During the visit, Mahama emphasized strengthening bilateral relations between Ghana and Mali, particularly in economic cooperation.
“Our discussions focused on bilateral relations, particularly economic exchanges, and the contribution of the Malian diaspora in Ghana to the economies of both countries,” he said.
Talks also centered on expanding trade between the two countries, particularly through the southern corridor, which enables the transit of goods from Mali to Ghana. Mahama stressed the need for improved infrastructure and simplified customs procedures to enhance the efficiency of trade flows.
The two leaders also agreed to revive the long-dormant Ghana-Mali Joint Cooperation Commission, which last convened in 2011. They pledged to reactivate the mechanism to bolster collaboration across a range of sectors.
Security cooperation was another key topic, especially joint efforts in counterterrorism across the region.
Tensions between AES—comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—and ECOWAS intensified after the three military-led governments announced their withdrawal from the regional bloc in response to sanctions. The AES was formally established in July 2024.
Despite the withdrawal, ECOWAS has extended a grace period for the three nations to reconsider their decision and re-engage in regional cooperation.
