Accra, Ghana – Ghana’s president and Mali’s junta-appointed prime minister on Thursday committed to strengthening relations in the face of rising jihadist violence and instability across West Africa.
The northern part of Ghana, as well as nearby Togo and Benin, is increasingly faced with incursions by jihadist groups based in the Sahel.
“Our security is a common objective, and we must work with each other to make sure our subregion is safe,” Ghana’s John Mahama told the press after his meeting with General Abdoulaye Maiga in the capital Accra.
“If your neighbour’s house is on fire, you must assist them to quench it; otherwise, it will spread to yours.”
The Ghanaian leader also acknowledged the recent formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, a defence pact formed after the three junta-led states withdrew from the regional west African bloc ECOWAS.
“Despite the temporary setback that we’re facing, we must continue to keep our relationships strong. Ghana remains in strong solidarity with Mali,” Mahama added.
Maiga praised Ghana’s essential role in promoting pan-Africanism — a central theme of the military leaders who have taken power in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, all of whom have turned away from former colonial ruler France.
“The fight for African sovereignty aligns with the vision of President Mahama. We thank him… for Ghana’s unwavering support,” the general said.
The visit is one sign of the normalisation of relations between the three AES states and their neighbours, after coups and their ECOWAS exit strained ties.
It also came as Togo’s foreign minister refused to rule out joining the AES, which would give the currently landlocked security and defence pact access to the Atlantic Ocean.
© Agence France-Presse
