President John Mahama has extended another invitation to the military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to attend the upcoming ECOWAS summit in Accra, for crucial Summit heralding the 50th Anniversary of ECOWAS The invitation comes despite the three Sahel nations formally cutting ties with ECOWAS earlier this year and forming their own Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Their withdrawal has raised concerns about trade disruptions and regional cooperation, particularly for Ghana and its neighbours.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, explained that the invitation was made directly by President Mahama in his capacity as summit host. "I did indicate all ECOWAS heads of state have been invited for this event, including heads of state of the AES countries," Mr Ablakwa stated at the launch of the anniversary celebrations. "Because of the divorce from ECOWAS, it requires the host president to be solely responsible for that invitation.
So they will come as guests of the Ghanaian president." He added that President Mahama's move is a step towards rebuilding ties between ECOWAS and the breakaway countries. "In the spirit of goodwill and seeking to foster reunification… when President Mahama discussed with his colleagues that he wanted to invite the AES heads of state, he did not face any opposition or resistance.
