The ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, convened in Ouagadougou on November 11, 2026, to examine the implementation of their Year Two roadmap. This meeting precedes the upcoming session of the College of Heads of State. The session, which will last two days, aims to review activities carried out under the three pillars of the Confederation: Defense and Security, Diplomacy, and Development.
The meeting was opened by Burkinabé Minister of War and Patriotic Defense, General Célestin Simporé, who read the opening speech. He stated that the session seeks to assess progress, formulate recommendations for the continuation of the confederal process, and address common issues. General Simporé emphasized that Defense and Security form the foundation of the AES, highlighting the efforts of national armed forces engaged in the Joint Force and calling for better harmonization of tools and mutualization of intelligence.
General Simporé underscored the importance of the Diplomacy pillar, advocating for the three countries to present a unified voice on the international scene. He also mentioned the need to redefine and diversify partnerships based on national and confederal interests. In the area of Development, he called for combining economies, facilitating commercial exchanges, and valorizing natural resources to provide sustainable perspectives for populations, particularly the youth.
The minister expressed gratitude to Malian authorities for their handling of a humanitarian situation involving the refoulement of Burkinabé nationals from Guinea. He also extended condolences to the Nigerien people following the death of the father of General Abdourahamane Tiani. The meeting follows the finalization of the Year Two roadmap in Ouagadougou on February 26, 2026, which aims to consolidate the Confederation and enhance the AES space around its three fundamental pillars.
At the end of the meeting, participants are expected to produce a synthesis note highlighting progress made during the second year of the Confederation's existence. This meeting is also a preparatory step for Year Three of the AES. General Simporé recalled the aspirations of Sahelian populations for more method, audacity, and solidarity in the conduct of the confederal process.
The AES was established to promote cooperation among its member states, particularly in areas of defense, security, and development. The Confederation seeks to provide a framework for concerted actions and mutual support among its members. The Ouagadougou meeting reflects the commitment of member states to strengthen their collaboration and address common challenges.
The outcome of the meeting will contribute to the evolution of the AES and its strategies for addressing regional challenges. The Confederation's focus on Defense and Security, Diplomacy, and Development underscores its holistic approach to fostering cooperation and sustainable development in the Sahel region.
Key points
- Ministers from the Alliance of Sahel States met to review the implementation of their Year Two roadmap in Ouagadougou.
