Senegal’s newly elected President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, commenced his first official visit to Mali and Burkina Faso on Thursday.
This diplomatic mission aims to strengthen ties with the two nations, which have recently exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are currently under military rule following coups.
In January, these three countries declared their departure from ECOWAS, citing undue French influence, and announced the formation of a new regional alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Upon arriving in Mali’s capital, President Faye proceeded to the presidential palace for discussions with junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita, according to a source within the Malian presidency.
The Senegalese presidency emphasized in a statement that these visits are intended to reinforce “historic ties of good neighbourliness, fraternal friendship, solidarity, and multifaceted cooperation.”
Since taking office in early April, Faye, 44, has made several diplomatic trips across West Africa.
Thursday’s journey marks his tenth visit to an African nation, highlighting his commitment to pan-Africanism and sub-regional integration as key diplomatic priorities, as noted by a Senegalese government statement.
Faye, elected on a platform promising radical change, has expressed his desire to reintegrate Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger into ECOWAS.
Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has encouraged Faye to leverage his influence within the bloc to resolve disputes with these states.
Prior to his Mali visit, Faye met with General Mamady Doumbouya in Guinea, who came to power in a September 2021 coup.
