President John Dramani Mahama has urged countries within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to welcome assistance from willing international partners in their efforts to combat terrorism.
Speaking at the Financial Times Africa Summit in London, President Mahama said countries committed to tackling terrorism should be allowed to contribute through intelligence sharing, logistical support and technical training.
He cited Ghana’s security cooperation with the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the United States as an example of how international partnerships can strengthen efforts to address security threats.
“In Ghana, we work with the UK. We work with Germany. We work with France. We work with the US. We share intelligence. We do training together,” he said.
President Mahama encouraged the AES countries to consider a similar approach by opening their security operations to assistance from interested partners.
“I believe that the AES countries should open up so that anybody who’s interested in assisting in the fight against terrorism should be able to do so,” he stated.
Call for a New Regional Security Framework
The President also called for a new framework for regional cooperation in West Africa to strengthen collective efforts against terrorism.
“Especially, we need a new framework of cooperation in West Africa,” he said.
His remarks highlight the importance of collaboration among regional countries and international partners in addressing security threats that extend across national borders.
AES Faces Persistent Security Challenges
The Alliance of Sahel States comprises Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which have pursued closer political and security cooperation following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The three countries continue to face security challenges linked to armed groups operating across the Sahel, where attacks have affected communities and placed pressure on national security forces.
President Mahama’s call comes amid ongoing discussions about how regional governments can strengthen counterterrorism efforts through intelligence sharing, training, logistical assistance and broader international cooperation.
https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/africa/mahama-sahel-states/2026/
source – www.gbcghanaonline.com
