Two years after its creation, the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) is taking stock of its progress and reaffirming its ambitions for security, sovereignty, and economic integration.
In a message marking the second anniversary of the confederation, Burkina Faso’s President Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who currently chairs the AES, highlighted what he described as major achievements since the alliance was established by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
The AES was created on July 6, 2024, following the establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023, with the objective of strengthening cooperation among the three countries in response to insecurity and the growing threat of terrorism in the region.
According to Traoré, the confederation represents a collective commitment to building a shared framework for defence, security, and mutual assistance based on solidarity, sovereignty, and shared responsibility.
Security and sovereignty at the centre
In his address, the Burkinabe leader paid tribute to soldiers and civilians who have lost their lives in the fight against armed groups, praising the resilience of Sahel populations.
He said the confederation was born in a difficult context marked by terrorist threats, political pressure, and what he described as attempts to undermine the sovereignty of the three countries.
Traoré argued that the AES was created as a response based on unity rather than isolation, with its strategy built around three main pillars: defence and security, diplomacy, and development.
Strengthened cooperation
Two years after its creation, the AES leadership says progress has been made in several areas. According to Traoré, political cooperation between member states has increased, diplomatic coordination has improved, and security forces are working more closely in counterterrorism operations.
He also pointed to closer administrative cooperation, efforts toward economic integration, the consolidation of confederal institutions, and a growing role for the diaspora in supporting the project.
« The strength of one state depends on the strength of the others, » Traoré said, insisting that the three countries share a common future based on a shared space and destiny.
Relations with ECOWAS
The AES anniversary comes amid continued tensions with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc.
Traoré said the confederation remains committed to African unity, pan-Africanism, and regional integration, but stressed that future cooperation must be based on principles including mutual respect, sovereign equality, non-interference, and the defence of national interests.
He added that discussions with ECOWAS are continuing in order to establish a new framework of relations while preserving certain regional achievements, particularly the free movement of people and goods.
A roadmap for the future
Looking ahead, the AES outlined several priorities, including collective defence, deeper economic integration, industrialisation, energy and food sovereignty, local processing of natural resources, and stronger cooperation in science, technology, education, and industry.
Traoré said the objective is to build a confederation where natural resources benefit local populations, young people have more opportunities, entrepreneurs can invest, and security forces guarantee lasting peace.
While celebrating what he described as significant progress, the AES president acknowledged that major challenges remain.
« The future of the Confederation will depend less on our speeches than on our collective ability to work more, produce more, innovate more, and constantly strengthen our unity, » he said.
Two years after its creation, the Confederation of Sahel States continues to position itself as a major political project in West Africa, seeking to redefine cooperation, sovereignty, and development among its member countries.
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