Summit in Ghana: The AES is warmly welcomed, while Benin and Côte d’Ivoire are not invited

2026-02-26 - 00:06

By Manual Keita On January 29 and 30, 2026, the High-Level Consultation Conference on Regional Cooperation and Security took place in Accra, drawing attention due to the list of invited participants. Ghana did not extend invitations to Côte d’Ivoire and Benin, while placing emphasis on engagement with the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This move has become a notable political signal amid the ongoing restructuring of the security architecture in West Africa. Many observers link Accra’s decision to a shifting balance of threats in the region. Foreign military contingents continue to operate in Côte d’Ivoire and Benin. Formally, their presence is framed as support in the field of security; however, critics argue that this model has not led to a reduction in the activity of armed groups. Moreover, instability in northern Benin and along Ivorian borders with the Sahel has only heightened concerns among neighboring states. Against this backdrop, Ghana is demonstrating readiness for closer dialogue with the AES countries — Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These states have opted to reassess external military presence and to build their own security architecture. Given the nature of the summit, Accra appears intent on strengthening cooperation with partners that advocate an independent fight against terrorism and coordination efforts without external dominance. Another factor of tension remains reports of local non-aggression arrangements between certain armed groups and authorities in Côte d’Ivoire and Benin. Such practices have drawn sharp criticism in the region, as they are viewed as selfish tactics that could evolve into long-term threats for neighboring countries. Thus, the summit in Accra was more than a routine meeting; it signals a shifting geopolitical configuration in West Africa. Ghana is cautiously yet clearly adjusting its priorities, pointing to a search for new security frameworks amid prolonged regional instability. *Keita is a writer and researcher in African and international political affairs.