Could old alliances bridge West Africa’s security cooperation gaps?
The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS has weakened regional security cooperation in West Africa, especially given rising terrorism. While the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and ECOWAS have agreed to tackle terrorism jointly and bilateral cooperation exists, this is insufficient compared to institutional alliances. The Accra Initiative, another regional security platform, is largely inactive due to mistrust. The Conseil de l’Entente, however, offers a promising alternative. Unlike ECOWAS, it remains politically neutral, fostering trust and maintaining connections with both AES and coastal states. This positions it to mediate and revive regional security cooperation, as evidenced by ongoing ministerial meetings and workshops. An assessment of its capacity and bilateral relations is crucial to strengthen its role in regional peace and security.
