Ghanaian President John Mahama paid a visit to his Nigerian counterpart, Bola Tinubu, at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, marking the first meeting since Tinubu’s inauguration on January 7, 2025. The meeting was an opportunity for Mahama to update Tinubu, who also serves as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, on his recent diplomatic engagements with the military juntas in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
Mahama took time to brief Tinubu on his recent travels to the Sahel region, where he has been involved in efforts to address the security challenges posed by the military governments in these three countries. In a statement to the press, Mahama emphasized the importance of maintaining open dialogue in order to resolve the tensions between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“This visit serves to thank President Tinubu for the honor of his presence during my inauguration and to bring him up to speed on the diplomatic efforts I’ve made in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. We are deeply committed to ensuring continued engagement with these nations in the hope of finding lasting solutions to our regional security issues,” Mahama explained.
The Ghanaian leader acknowledged the complexities of the ongoing situation, but reassured that ECOWAS and the AES countries can find common ground through constructive dialogue. “It’s a delicate and challenging situation, but we must continue talking and working together. It’s through dialogue that we can overcome these challenges,” Mahama added.
In response, President Tinubu praised Mahama’s efforts, highlighting the significance of fostering communication with the Sahelian countries, particularly as tensions have escalated in the region. “It’s a good thing that President Mahama is here. I’m pleased with his efforts to bridge the gap between the AES countries and ECOWAS. The situation in the Sahel is critical, not just from a security standpoint, but also in terms of economic opportunities for our citizens,” Tinubu stated.
Tinubu also underscored the importance of prioritizing the welfare of the people in these affected countries. “The real victims of this situation are the citizens of those countries. Our job as leaders is to ensure that their lives are safeguarded, and that they benefit from the prosperity that comes with stability.”
Relations between ECOWAS and the three Sahelian nations have been tense ever since military coups ousted civilian governments in Mali (2020), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023). Following the coup in Niger, ECOWAS imposed harsh sanctions, including border closures, a no-fly zone for commercial flights, and the freezing of central bank assets. Despite several rounds of diplomatic negotiations, no resolution has yet been reached with the juntas.
As the region remains on edge, Mahama and Tinubu’s continued diplomatic engagement underscores the importance of dialogue and cooperation in finding solutions to one of West Africa’s most pressing challenges.
