The warming of relations between Cotonou and the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) continues. On Tuesday, June 9, Bénin’s president Romuald Wadagni travelled to Bamako for a meeting with Malian head of state Assimi Goïta. This visit is part of a regional tour that began shortly after his inauguration.
After stops in Niger and Burkina Faso, the Mali leg confirms the new Béninese leader’s desire to reopen dialogue with the Sahelian military regimes.
A ‘new breath’ between Bamako and Cotonou
Following their talks, the two heads of state issued a joint statement expressing their intent to ‘give a new breath’ to relations between Mali and Bénin.
The discussions focused on strengthening economic, trade and cultural cooperation between the two nations.
Romuald Wadagni also extended an invitation to Assimi Goïta for an official visit to Bénin, a further sign of the détente between the two capitals.
A shift in tone across the region
Ties between Bénin and AES countries had suffered severe strain in recent years, especially with neighbouring Niger after the 2023 coup.
Since taking office on May 24, Romuald Wadagni has stepped up diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring dialogue with authorities in Bamako, Ouagadougou and Niamey.
A strategic stake for West Africa
This tour comes amid deep regional divisions between the Economic Community of West African States and AES countries.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger withdrew from the regional bloc to form their own confederation, arguing that ECOWAS no longer met their sovereignty and security needs.
Romuald Wadagni’s visit thus stands as one of the first major diplomatic gestures of his term and could help ease tensions within the West African space.
