The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has extended until December 2026 the mandate of its chief negotiator with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, according to the final communiqué of the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.

"[ECOWAS] extended the mandate of chief negotiator Lansana Kouyaté until December 2026. The Authority confirmed that negotiations with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger [which are part of the Alliance] will be conducted exclusively within the framework of a single bloc," the communiqué read.

ECOWAS leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to continuing discussions with the Alliance as part of a unified dialogue. They also called on member states not to enter into individual agreements with Burkina Faso, Mali, or Niger that could "threaten the cohesion of ECOWAS."

In late March, ECOWAS appointed former Guinean Prime Minister Lansana Kouyaté as the organization's mediator in negotiations with the AES.

The ECOWAS Summit of Heads of State and Government commenced on July 19 in Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown.