ECOWAS @50: Sahel States’ attendance still uncertain as historic summit begins today

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) officially kicks off its 50th Anniversary celebrations today, Tuesday, April 22, at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), with Ghana playing host under the leadership of former President John Dramani Mahama.

The event, which marks five decades of regional unity and cooperation, brings together state leaders, foreign affairs and finance ministers, and traditional authorities.

A highlight of the day includes the unveiling of the ECOWAS @ 50 logo and the official theme for a year-long series of Jubilee events across all member states.

In a notable diplomatic move, President Mahama few day ago extended invitations to the military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—who formally withdrew from ECOWAS earlier this year.

According to Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the invitation reflects Ghana’s commitment to regional dialogue and reconciliation.

“This is a step towards building bridges and collaborating to strengthen the West African sub-region,” he told reporters ahead of the summit.

Live updates confirm the arrival of Liberian President Joseph Boakai and Vice President of The Gambia, H.E. Muhammed B.S. Jallow, among others.

Parallel to the anniversary celebrations, the ECOWAS Council of Ministers will hold an Extraordinary Meeting on today and tomorrow.

The ministers are expected to deliberate on urgent matters affecting the bloc, chief among them the modalities surrounding the exit of the three Sahelian countries.

This development, which officially took effect in January 2025 after a one-year notification period, has been described as a test of ECOWAS’s resilience and unity.