The governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have issued a joint communiqué warning against unauthorized fundraising activities in the name of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The communiqué, published on November 11, 2026, in Ouagadougou, urges citizens to be vigilant against initiatives that claim to raise funds for AES projects without official authorization.
The warning was signed by Burkinabè government spokesperson Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo on behalf of his counterparts in Bamako and Niamey. The governments noted that various associations, groups, and individuals have been initiating financial operations, claiming to raise resources to support AES projects. While acknowledging the patriotic and solidarity-driven efforts of populations wanting to contribute to the organization's development, the governments stress the need for strict regulation of these contributions.
To prevent risks of scams or embezzlement and ensure total transparency of financial flows, the AES authorities now require promoters of these fundraising initiatives to obtain prior authorization. Initiators are invited to approach the competent administrative structures, specifically the national AES Committees or Commissions of each member state.
The warning is also addressed to local populations, Sahelian and African diasporas, and AES sympathizers, who are urged not to pay any sums to individuals or structures lacking formal accreditation and to report any suspicious solicitations to security forces. The communiqué recalls that the Sahelian region already has a dedicated financial arm, the Confederal Bank for Investment and Development of AES (BCID-AES), inaugurated in Bamako with an initial capital of 500 billion CFA francs.
The BCID-AES has the exclusive mandate of centralizing and directing capital towards infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and endogenous industrialization. By issuing this warning, the AES aims to preserve public trust and establish its institutions within a legal, secure, and transparent framework.
The joint communiqué reflects the determination of the three governments to ensure that contributions to AES projects are channeled through official and authorized channels. This move is expected to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of funds intended for the development of the Sahelian region.
The development highlights the importance of collaboration between governments and citizens in achieving the objectives of the AES. By working together, the three countries aim to promote sustainable development and improve the living standards of their populations through well-regulated and transparent financial initiatives.
Key points
- The governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have warned against unauthorized fundraising activities in the name of the AES.
- The warning aims to prevent risks of scams or embezzlement and ensure transparency of financial flows.
- The Confederal Bank for Investment and Development of AES (BCID-AES) has been established to centralize and direct capital towards development projects.
