Ghana’s President Mahama to Make First Official Visit to Mali, Marking His First Visit to a CSS Member State

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama is set to make his first official visit to Mali on Saturday, March 8, marking his first trip to a member state of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) since taking office.

According to AESinfo, Mahama will meet with Malian leader General Assimi Goïta, who serves as Mali’s transitional president and the chairman of the AES, now Confederation of Sahel States(CSS). The visit is seen as a significant diplomatic move, given the recent shifts in regional alliances following Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger’s withdrawal from ECOWAS.

Recall that President Mahama appointed Larry Gbevlo-Lartey as Special Envoy to the Sahel States Alliance (AES), signalling a more substantial commitment to regional security and cooperation. This move was officially announced on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, following Mahama’s inauguration as president on January 7, 2025, in Accra, where Mali’s President and leader of the transitional government, General Assimi Goïta, was invited to attend.

Ghana’s appointment of Special Envoy reflects a deeper push to fortify cooperation with Mali and other AES nations, especially in the face of ongoing security challenges in the Sahel.

Before the appointment, it was reported that the Prime Minister of Mali, Major General Abdoulaye Maiga, arrived in Accra, leading a high-level delegation to deliver a message from Mali’s President of the Transition, Army General Assimi Goita.

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