Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who assumed the chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in June, made a landmark visit to Burkina Faso on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, where he held talks with the country’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, at the presidential palace in Koulouba. The visit marks the first by an ECOWAS leader to a member of the Sahel Alliance of States (AES), signaling what analysts view as a possible reset in relations between the two blocs.
According to Sierra Leone’s state house, President Bio used the one-day working visit to emphasize his commitment to strengthening dialogue and cooperation with Burkina Faso and the broader Sahel alliance, which includes Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Bio expressed hope that through renewed engagement, lasting peace could be restored in the troubled region. He pledged to “make sure that peace returns to Burkina Faso,” underscoring ECOWAS’s ongoing interest in stabilizing the Sahel despite political differences.
In a video shared on his official X account, President Bio reiterated his solidarity with Burkina Faso’s people and government, saying, “I am here today to show my solidarity with the people of Burkina Faso, to tell them they are not alone and that we will work together to restore peace.” His comments reflect a softer approach compared to the confrontational stance ECOWAS previously adopted following the Sahelian juntas’ decision to sever ties with the bloc.
Relations between ECOWAS and the AES have been strained since January 2025, when Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—countries led by military juntas—formally withdrew from ECOWAS. Their departure was seen as a major blow to regional unity and security cooperation, particularly as all three nations continue to grapple with persistent jihadist insurgencies and mounting humanitarian crises.
Burkina Faso’s state media reported that the discussions between Bio and Traoré focused largely on regional security challenges, the evolving political landscape, and the need to foster stability through international partnerships. Analysts interpret Bio’s visit as a sign of ECOWAS gradually adapting to the new reality of the AES’s existence rather than continuing to push aggressively for its dissolution.
Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, remarked that Bio’s statements were unprecedented in tone. “They’ve accepted it now, there won’t be any more talk from ECOWAS for the Sahel countries to come back,” he said. “This was the most optimistic, most upbeat comments from ECOWAS we’ve seen so far.”
The symbolic importance of the visit cannot be overstated. For months, relations between ECOWAS and the AES were dominated by sanctions, threats, and ultimatums. Bio’s trip suggests a pivot toward engagement, reconciliation, and perhaps the recognition that long-term regional security will require collaboration rather than isolation.
In a message posted on social media following the meeting, President Bio expressed gratitude to Captain Traoré for the reception, while reaffirming ECOWAS’s foundational principles. “ECOWAS has always played a significant role in promoting peace, security, and economic prosperity across our nations,” he wrote. “I eagerly anticipate continued collaboration with our brothers in Burkina Faso as we strive to uphold these important shared values together.”
Observers say the visit could open the door to greater dialogue between ECOWAS and the AES, potentially reshaping regional politics in West Africa. Whether this marks a true turning point in relations remains to be seen, but the gesture is already being interpreted as a step toward bridging one of the deepest rifts the region has experienced in decades.
