President John Dramani Mahama has called on leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to prioritise dialogue and sustained engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), warning that regional unity is indispensable to peace and stability in West Africa.
Speaking at his installation as Aare Atayeto Oodua of the Source by the Ooni of Ife at a ceremony in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, on Monday, December 15, 2025, President Mahama said the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS should not undermine the broader objective of regional integration.
“Our sub-region is facing serious challenges, particularly in the Sahel. Three of our members have chosen to break away and form the AES, but I do not believe this development should deter us,” he said.
President Mahama stressed that the deep historical, cultural, and economic ties binding West African nations far outweigh current political differences, cautioning against approaches rooted in exclusion or isolation.
“God put us together in this sub-region for a purpose. Instead of ostracising our brothers, we must continue to build bridges between ECOWAS and our brothers in the Sahel, because our destinies are tied together,” he noted.
Drawing on a Ghanaian proverb, he underscored the shared nature of regional security, warning that instability in one country inevitably spills across borders.
“In Ghana, we say that when there is a fire burning in your neighbour’s house, you take water and help to quench it. If you stand by and allow your neighbour’s house to burn down, the fire will eventually spread to your own house,” he said.
President Mahama urged ECOWAS leaders to maintain diplomatic engagement with the AES countries and work deliberately towards their eventual reintegration into the regional bloc.
“We must continue to engage them, build bridges, and encourage them to return to the fold. That is the only path to lasting peace, stability, and shared prosperity for our people,” he added.
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