Mahama announces plan for new West African security platform
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to establish a new framework to enhance regional security collaboration, following the decision of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to remain outside the Accra Initiative.
Speaking at a joint press conference with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Jubilee House in Accra, President Mahama said Ghana had sought to bring the AES countries into the Accra Initiative, but continued divergence between the two blocs had made it necessary to explore a new cooperative platform.
“We need continuous dialogue and engagement to be able to resolve some of the mutual challenges that we commonly face. The Accra Initiative was set up as a platform for our joint fight against violent extremism in the West African sub-region,” he explained.
“Unfortunately, currently, the AES states are not participating in the Accra Initiative. And so, what I’ve been engaged with is seeking a new platform that can bring them on board because the fight is not theirs alone. It’s a sub-regional fight because violent extremism is like a cancer; it continues to grow and spread,” he added.
President Mahama disclosed that discussions were already underway, adding, “I was in Mali a week ago to discuss the issue of a joint platform where we can collaborate to help them, and the international community can assist in the joint fight against violent extremism.”
The Accra Initiative, headquartered in Ghana, was launched to enhance intelligence-sharing and joint security operations among seven West African countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger, and Togo.
However, the AES, comprising Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, has shifted its focus toward consolidating its own alliance, emphasising regional autonomy and reduced dependence on external partners.
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