Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed Lansana Kouyaté as Chief Negotiator to reopen dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, now aligned under the Confederation of Sahel States.
Kouyaté is a seasoned diplomat and political figure from Guinea who previously served as the country’s Prime Minister and has held senior roles within regional and international institutions, including work with the United Nations. His experience in mediation and governance is seen as central to efforts to rebuild strained relations.
The move comes after a formal break between the three countries and the regional bloc, marking a renewed push to ease tensions and restore engagement in the region.
Kouyaté’s appointment is taking place alongside ongoing mediation efforts by the African Union in the Sahel. His mandate, initially set for three months, will focus on reopening communication channels and exploring pathways towards cooperation.
Political analyst Idrissa Keita says the appointment signals a fresh attempt to stabilise relations, but cautions that meaningful progress will depend on whether all parties are prepared to compromise.
–ChannelAfrica–
