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The Alliance of Sahel States (AoSS) represents a significant shift in the security and political landscape of West Africa. Comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, these countries have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by Jan. 29, 2025.
This move underscores the growing divide between the military-led governments in the Sahel and the democratic frameworks of neighbouring countries.
As tensions rise, Ghana has stepped forward to bridge the gap by appointing Colonel Larry Gbevlo-Lartey to head a team to improve relations with these Sahelian nations.
Ghana’s Strategy
Under President John Mahama’s leadership, Ghana has shown a strong willingness to engage with its neighbours, even as they embrace military leadership.
In a symbolic gesture of goodwill, Colonel Ibrahim Traoré, the President of Burkina Faso’s transitional government, attended Mahama’s inauguration, wearing a sidearm—a controversial yet notable moment for Ghana’s diplomatic outreach. Gbevlo-Lartey’s appointment signals Ghana’s intent to foster dialogue and cooperation with the Sahelian states to address their complex security challenges.
Security analyst Adib Saani highlights the growing threat of terrorism across the region, noting that terrorist cells operate in Ghana, engaging in illegal mining and cattle rustling.
He underscores the importance of strong border security and regional cooperation.
“Terrorism is transnationalised… they move from one territory to another,” he told DUBAWA.
“Collaboration within the sub-region is crucial because if Ghana does its homework well and Togo doesn’t, it defeats our efforts.” This observation is critical as Ghana positions itself to play a leading role in regional security efforts.
The Sahel Crisis: A Shared Threat
The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS has complicated efforts to address the region’s security challenges.
As these states face mounting terrorism and instability, their departure from the regional body poses risks not only to their citizens but also to the coastal nations like Ghana.
International relations expert and lecturer at Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) Ishmael Kwabla Hlovor emphasises Ghana’s responsibility to understand the regional dynamics, saying, “Ghana must position itself in a way to mediate the tension between the emerging military leaders and those countries still under democracy.”
Hlovor advocates for Ghana to use its influence and President Mahama’s goodwill to broker peace and guide the Sahel states back into dialogue with ECOWAS.
“Ghana has the opportunity to become the power brokers of this region,” he told DUBAWA.
“We must leverage the resources of ECOWAS to combat the spread of terrorism.” His argument reflects that even though the Sahel countries have distanced themselves from ECOWAS, their security challenges—particularly terrorism—directly threaten neighbouring states, including Ghana.
Leveraging Regional and Global Partnerships
For Ghana, the path forward involves a delicate balancing act of engaging with the military-led Sahel governments and the ECOWAS member states. As Hlovor points out, “If ECOWAS has played its role as a collective body for addressing regional stability, we may not have gotten to where we are.”
The delay in effective ECOWAS intervention has escalated the situation, and now the region must face the consequences.
According to Hlovor, Ghana must build strong partnerships with neighbouring states like Togo, Benin, and Nigeria to navigate this complex web. These countries share similar concerns over the growing threat of terrorism in the Sahel and its potential spillover into coastal areas.
Ghana, already experienced in managing democratic transitions, can offer invaluable lessons to its neighbours struggling with military-led governments. “We must share our experiences,” Hlovor asserts. “We can contribute meaningfully to establishing democracy within the sub-region.”
Furthermore, collaboration with global partners, including the United Nations, the African Union, and other international actors will be crucial for addressing the underlying causes of instability in the Sahel.
Saani also stresses the need for advanced technological tools to combat terrorism, advocating for the use of drones and intelligence-sharing platforms to bolster border security.
Conclusion
As the situation in the Sahel continues to evolve, Ghana’s position as a regional leader will be instrumental in mediating between the splintered states and regional organisations like ECOWAS. The country’s efforts to engage with military-led governments while reinforcing its commitment to democratic principles will help foster a broader sense of regional unity.
