State House, Freetown – March 10, 2026 – President Dr. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone held a courtesy meeting today with Mamadou Tangara, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Mali and the Sahel and Head of MISAHEL, to discuss collaboration between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The visit is part of Dr. Tangara’s regional mission to establish a roadmap that promotes synergy between AES and ECOWAS. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba, introduced Dr. Tangara and outlined the purpose of his consultations across the region.
In conveying greetings from African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Dr. Tangara expressed appreciation for President Bio’s leadership in fostering peace and regional stability. He provided updates on discussions with AES member states—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—aimed at creating a cooperative framework.
Dr. Tangara highlighted positive developments since the AES’s inception in September 2023, including the involvement of non-AES states in various initiatives, signaling a desire for renewed dialogue in the region.
In response, President Bio congratulated Dr. Tangara on his recent appointment and endorsed the importance of this initiative. As the current Chair of the ECOWAS Authority, President Bio reiterated his dedication to enhancing regional integration and facilitating the reintegration of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. He remarked that their exit from ECOWAS in January 2024 was counterproductive to the long-term stability of the region.
The President assured Dr. Tangara of his unwavering support for initiatives aimed at restoring unity and fostering cooperation in West Africa.
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