On September 28, 2026, in New York, Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré delivered a statement at the 81st UN General Assembly on behalf of the Sahel States' Confederation. The statement was made in the names of the Heads of State, Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, General Assimi Goïta of Mali, and General Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger. Traoré congratulated the President of the 81st session and expressed appreciation for Annalena Baerbock's leadership during the 80th session.
Traoré paid tribute to the victims of terrorism and the defense and security forces of the Confederation, expressing solidarity with the families of those affected. He also honored the memory of General Sadio Camara, who was assassinated on April 25, 2026. The Minister recalled the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) through the Liptako-Gourma Charter on September 16, 2023, which was consolidated on July 6, 2024.
The Minister denounced the ongoing support of terrorist groups by certain states and condemned recent attacks in Mali and Niger. He announced the withdrawal of the Confederation from the International Criminal Court and the notification of withdrawal from the Rome Statute. Traoré welcomed the adoption of a resolution on the transatlantic slave trade on March 25, 2026, and another resolution on September 4, 2026.
Traoré expressed support for several initiatives, including the UN's 80th anniversary initiative, the Ezulwini Consensus, and the Sirte Declaration. He called for reforms to the UN Security Council and the lifting of the embargo on Cuba. At the national level, he highlighted the Revolutionary Progressive Movement, six presidential initiatives, and the RELANCE 2026-2030 plan.
According to Traoré, over 74% of the territory is now under control, with the reconquest of villages, return of thousands of people, and reopening of dozens of schools and health centers. He reaffirmed the solution of a two-state approach for Israel-Palestine, expressed concern for Cuba and Nicaragua, and supported the UN's process for the Western Sahara.
The Minister emphasized the importance of the Confederation's dynamic, which he described as a rejection of fatalism and chronic tutelage. He stated that the AES is a sign of the shared will of its member states to break free from structural domination and exploitation. Traoré expressed hope for the renaissance of the Central Sahel region.
The statement concluded with a message of gratitude to all peoples and nations that share the values of peace, dignity, and liberty promoted by the AES. The Confederation's efforts aim to achieve sovereignty, stability, and development, and Traoré reiterated his pride in the resilience and mobilization of the Sahel's populations.
Key points
- The Sahel States' Confederation aims to achieve sovereignty and stability through cooperation and determination.
- Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister denounced the support of terrorist groups by certain states.
- The Confederation has made significant progress in reconquering territory and restoring basic services.
