ECOWAS Chairman, Sierra Leone’s President Bio, calls for strengthened ties between ECOWAS, AES countries
State House, Freetown,
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
President Julius Maada Bio of the Republic of Sierra Leone, who is also Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, has called for closer and stronger partnership between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) countries, made up of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic.
The call was made by President Bio during a courtesy visit on him by Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, and follows the recent withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWAS to form the AES after their suspension from the regional bloc as a result of military takeovers in their countries.
In his remarks as Chairman of ECOWAS, President Bio, who welcomed Dr. Touray’s delegation and emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Authority and the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the urgent need to deepen relations with the AES countries, underscoring that such ties are fundamental to promoting trade and free movement, and enhancing peace and security within the region.
“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,” he affirmed.
President Bio also pledged his support for democratic transition and electoral processes within the subregion, highlighting the transition process in Guinea and the forthcoming elections in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau.
Furthermore, President Bio called for the convening of a Special Summit focused on the future of the West African region and the Community at large, after 50 years of cooperation, collaboration and integration.
During the visit, the President of the ECOWAS Commission provided President Bio with a detailed update on the current status of the Community, noting that the Chairman assumes leadership amid significant challenges facing the subregion.
Dr. Touray also briefed the ECOWAS Chairman on the political situation of various Member States, discussed matters concerning the Community Levy, and expressed his commitment to collaborating closely with the Chairman towards regional unity. He also shared updates on various administrative matters.
He further assured President Bio that the Commission will shortly implement the decision to deploy an assessment mission to Sierra Leone and Guinea as part of ongoing efforts to resolve the Yenga border dispute between the two countries.
President Bio officially assumed the Chairmanship of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in June this year at the 65th Summit of the regional organisation.
