The Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism of Burkina Faso, Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo, officially opened the first Forum of media actors from the Confédération des États du Sahel (AES) in Ouagadougou on October 7, 2026. The event took place on the sidelines of the 15th edition of the Universités africaines de la communication de Ouagadougou (UACO). The forum brings together media professionals, executives, and communication experts from the AES member states.
The forum's theme, "Media and Sovereignty of the Confédération des États du Sahel," aims to strengthen cooperation among media actors from the three member countries and reflect on their role in consolidating the informational sovereignty of the Confederation. Bassolma Bazié, president of the Commission nationale de la Confédération des États du Sahel (CN-CES) and forum patron, emphasized the importance of the AES countries being present and powerful in the information war, particularly during this critical period in their history.
Bazié expressed his satisfaction with the forum and highlighted the expectations of decision-makers from media professionals, researchers, and experts. He stated that the conclusions of the forum should serve as a basis for defining a confederal policy to support media development and elaborating a charter for AES journalists to promote a common culture of information and communication.
Minister Ouédraogo noted that the forum's theme addresses one of the significant challenges in the sovereignist struggle engaged by the three AES member states. He called on media professionals to contribute to the concretization of this sovereignty, stressing that the war is no longer only fought on battlefields but also in newsrooms, online platforms, and mass media channels.
According to Ouédraogo, information and communication have been deviated from their social mission to serve manipulation and a policy of domination and exploitation. He advocated for an alternative discourse to deconstruct stereotypes and subversive messages aimed at tarnishing the image of AES states and their leaders. Media professionals are on the front line of the communication war and must act as conscious and responsible actors.
The minister invited media actors to take initiatives to strengthen cooperation among professionals from the three countries, promote experience sharing, and enhance capacities to face disinformation and information war challenges. He encouraged the production of content that values Sahélian realities and initiatives, with the goal of establishing a regional network of media and communication actors.
The forum aims to lay the groundwork for closer cooperation among AES media actors, strengthening the Confederation's voice in the information war, and contributing to the defense of its interests and sovereignty. The goal is to create a professional and robust media bloc to serve as a shield in the communication war against those who contest AES sovereignty.
Key points
- The forum seeks to strengthen cooperation among media actors from AES member states.
- Media professionals are called upon to contribute to the concretization of AES sovereignty.
- The forum aims to establish a regional network of media and communication actors.
