State House, Freetown – Tuesday, August 5, 2025 – President Julius Maada Bio, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, has called for stronger ties between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
The appeal came during a high-level courtesy visit by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, to the State House in Freetown.
In his capacity as Chairman, President Bio underscored the need for renewed dialogue and deeper collaboration between ECOWAS and the AES bloc, particularly in the areas of trade, free movement, and regional peace and 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 also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting democratic transitions and upcoming electoral processes across the subregion, pointing to the ongoing political transition in Guinea and scheduled elections in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau as examples.
Significantly, President Bio proposed the convening of a Special ECOWAS Summit dedicated to reflecting on the future of the region—an initiative he believes is crucial after five decades of regional cooperation and integration.
In response, Dr. Touray provided a comprehensive update on the state of the ECOWAS Community, highlighting key political and economic challenges confronting the bloc. He emphasized the importance of unity and assured President Bio of the Commission’s readiness to work closely with him to address pressing regional issues.
Dr. Touray also discussed the status of the Community Levy and other administrative matters, noting that President Bio’s chairmanship comes at a pivotal moment for West Africa.
On a related note, the ECOWAS Commission President confirmed that preparations are underway to deploy an assessment mission to Sierra Leone and Guinea to address the long-standing Yenga border dispute.
> “We remain committed to resolving regional issues through dialogue and cooperation, and the Yenga mission is part of our broader efforts toward peace and stability,” Dr. Touray added.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of both leaders to regional unity, security, and progress, at a time when West Africa faces multiple political and security challenges.
