Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is expected in Bamako on Tuesday for a one-day working visit, his first official trip to Mali since assuming the rotating presidency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The visit comes just days after Faye launched his new political party, Kiiraay, in Dakar, and underscores his dual role as both Senegal’s head of state and the current chair of the regional bloc.
First Mali visit as ECOWAS chair
According to a source at the Senegalese presidency, Faye will meet Mali’s transitional president Assimi Goïta to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as regional issues. This marks his first foreign trip in his capacity as ECOWAS chairman, a position entrusted to him by fellow West African leaders on July 19.
The meeting is expected to focus on the future of relations between ECOWAS and the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), which brings together Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The three countries formally withdrew from ECOWAS after months of political tensions following military takeovers.
Negotiations between the two sides have been led since March by ECOWAS mediator Lansana Kouyaté, but no breakthrough has yet been reached.
Renewed diplomatic engagement
Tuesday’s trip will be Faye’s second visit to Mali. He first travelled to Bamako on May 30, 2024, just weeks after taking office, where he held talks with Goïta and urged Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to reconsider their decision to leave ECOWAS.
His former ally and Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, also visited Bamako in August 2024 as part of efforts to maintain dialogue between Senegal and the Malian authorities.
Trade corridor remains vital
Beyond diplomacy, economic cooperation is expected to feature prominently in the discussions.
The Bamako-Dakar corridor remains one of Mali’s most important supply routes, according to the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). However, the trade route has come under increasing pressure in recent months due to jihadist attacks targeting freight convoys.
The deteriorating security situation prompted Senegalese transport operators to temporarily suspend cargo services along the corridor in May, disrupting trade between the two neighbouring countries.
Faye’s visit is therefore expected to address both regional political challenges and the need to strengthen economic and security cooperation between Dakar and Bamako.
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