Landlocked Burkina, Mali, Niger back sea access through Morocco
- In April 2025, the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger met King Mohammed VI in Rabat to endorse Morocco’s initiative granting them Atlantic Ocean access.
- The meeting followed these landlocked Sahel states’ departure from ECOWAS last year and the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States, driven by military juntas severing ties with Western partners.
- The ministers expressed full commitment to speed up the initiative’s implementation, highlighting Morocco’s trade initiative launched in late 2023 to facilitate their maritime access via Moroccan ports.
- According to Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, this plan will diversify their sea access and global trade routes, while the three countries maintain security partnerships and reject ECOWAS sanctions.
- This development implies a strategic shift as the Sahel states strengthen ties with Morocco amid regional rivalries with Algeria and deteriorating relations with Western allies.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to have access to the Atlantic ocean
In December 2023, Morocco announced a trade initiative to facilitate Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger's access to the Atlantic Ocean using Moroccan ports after ECOWAS imposed trade restrictions on the the three junta-led countries.


Landlocked Burkina, Mali, Niger back sea access through Morocco
Foreign ministers of military-ruled Sahel states of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger said on Monday they endorse an initiative offering them access to global trade through Morocco's Atlantic ports, Morocco's state news agency reported.
Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Seek Access To Atlantic Through Morocco
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which have no coastline, hope to reach global shipping lanes through a new deal with Morocco. Morocco’s state press reported that envoys from the three Sahel countries met King Mohammed VI in Rabat on Monday and endorsed a Moroccan scheme that would open Atlantic sea routes to their trade. The step reshapes West African politics and commerce because the Alliance of Sahel States has lacked a maritime outlet since lea…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources lean Right
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage