The landlocked nations of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are seeking to diversify their access to the sea by partnering with Morocco, following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The foreign ministers recently met with King Mohammed VI in Rabat to discuss a Moroccan initiative offering access to global trade through Morocco’s Atlantic ports.
“Morocco’s initiative is conducive to diversifying our access to the sea,” Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop told state media. This development comes as the three countries, now part of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), look to reduce their dependence on ECOWAS border states such as Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal.
The Moroccan initiative, announced in November 2023, provides access to Morocco’s Atlantic ports for trade. This strategic move strengthens Morocco’s regional influence while promoting economic development in the Sahel region. The partnership could potentially offset the economic impact of the ECOWAS exit for Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
The AES grouping has been distancing itself from Western partners, expelling French forces, and deepening military cooperation with Russia. Meanwhile, tensions between the AES bloc and Algeria have escalated, with Algeria cutting diplomatic ties with Morocco and backing the Polisario Front’s bid for independence in Western Sahara – a territory claimed by Morocco.
Morocco has invested heavily in the region, including a $1 billion port project in Dakhla, Western Sahara, aimed at developing maritime infrastructure. The kingdom has also mediated the release of four French citizens imprisoned in Burkina Faso, following France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.