Former Ghanaian President John Mahama visited Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
This marked Mahama’s first visit since his inauguration on January 7. The meeting aimed to brief Tinubu—who also serves as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government—on his recent diplomatic engagements in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Speaking to journalists, Mahama stated that his visit was to update Tinubu on ongoing diplomatic efforts with the military-led governments of these Sahel nations, focusing on regional security and stability. He acknowledged the complexity of the situation but expressed confidence that continued dialogue would help resolve outstanding issues between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and ECOWAS.
“I came to express my gratitude for the honor accorded to me during my inauguration and to brief him on my visits to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger,” Mahama said. “As ECOWAS chairman, it is my duty to keep him informed about the concerns raised during these engagements and to discuss the way forward. The situation is complex, but through sustained dialogue, we can find common ground.”
In response, Tinubu emphasized the importance of engagement with the AES nations, highlighting its role in ensuring regional security and economic stability.
“I am pleased with his visit and the efforts he has made to bridge the divide between AES and ECOWAS,” Tinubu said. “Given the security challenges in the Sahel, we must work towards protecting lives and fostering economic opportunities for our people. Ultimately, the innocent citizens of these nations should be the primary beneficiaries of our collective efforts.”
Tensions between ECOWAS and the Sahel countries have remained high following military takeovers in Niger (2023), Burkina Faso (2022), and Mali (2020). After the Niger coup, ECOWAS imposed tough sanctions, including border closures, a no-fly zone for commercial flights, and the freezing of central bank assets. While negotiations between ECOWAS and the military juntas have taken place, they have yet to yield a resolution.