Nigeria is participating in high-level talks in Senegal aimed at addressing the rift between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the breakaway Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, led the national delegation to Dakar on Friday for the first round of ministerial and technical discussions.

The meeting marks a renewed diplomatic effort to prevent permanent fragmentation across West Africa following decisions by military-led governments in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to withdraw from the regional bloc.

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that negotiators hope to agree on a draft General Framework Agreement between ECOWAS and AES nations ahead of the regional bloc’s annual summit in Abuja this December.

Safeguarding regional ties

In a statement issued on Friday, ministry spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to preserving long-standing trade, security, and cultural ties across the sub-region.

“Nigeria, as a key founding member of ECOWAS, remains committed to the principles of regional integration, peace, and security,” the statement read.

“The presence of the minister underscores Nigeria’s dedication to ensuring that the exit of the AES member states does not negatively impact the age-old cultural and geographical ties between brother West African countries.”

The talks in Dakar are expected to establish structured channels for continued cooperation on counter-terrorism, border management, and economic relations between ECOWAS and the Sahel alliance.