Senegal President Diomaye Faye visits Mali to mend ECOWAS ties

Senegalese President Diomaye Faye, newly elected chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), travelled to Bamako shortly before formally taking office. The high‑profile visit aimed to restore strained relations between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger) after the three countries withdrew from the bloc.

During talks with Mali’s transitional authorities, Faye emphasized continued dialogue, regional peace, security and economic integration. While no decision was announced on Mali’s possible return to ECOWAS, diplomatic sources described the meeting as constructive, signalling a willingness to keep communication channels open amid growing jihadist threats across the Sahel.

The outreach reflects Faye’s broader policy of engagement rather than punitive measures toward the military‑led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and underscores concerns that the ECOWAS‑AES split could hamper joint efforts against terrorism, trade, and free movement of people.