Mali Hosts 2nd Meeting on Military Frequencies for Sahel Alliance

The Malian capital, Bamako, is hosting the 2nd meeting of coordination on military frequencies along the borders of countries in the Sahel Alliance. The meeting, which runs until November 4, 2026, is organized by the Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications et des Postes (AMRTP). It brings together delegation heads from Burkina Faso and Niger, defense and security force officials, and radioelectric communication experts from the three states.

The meeting is presided over by Mali's Minister Delegate to the Minister of Defense, General Oumar Diarra. He emphasized the strategic importance of the exercise, which aims to enhance cooperation and security among the Sahel Alliance countries. The meeting follows a previous one held in Niamey in October 2025, which defined recommendations for military frequency coordination.

A key objective of the meeting is to establish a common database of military frequencies used in border areas. This database will help limit interference caused by the use of identical or neighboring frequencies without coordination. General Diarra stressed that the effective management of frequencies is crucial for reliable and secure communication among defense forces.

The Sahel Alliance, comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has been working to strengthen cooperation in defense and security. The current meeting in Bamako focuses specifically on military frequencies, building on previous agreements and frameworks established by the alliance. These include the October 2025 Niamey meeting, the November 2025 Ouagadougou agreement, and the September 2026 convention between the regulators of the three countries.

General Diarra highlighted the sensitivity of military communication information and the need for its protection. The meeting aims to produce concrete proposals to consolidate the dynamic of cooperation among the Sahel Alliance countries. The participants will examine the results obtained so far and work towards achieving more effective coordination of military frequencies.

The 3-day meeting involves experts from the Sahel Alliance countries, who will engage in technical discussions and negotiations. The outcome of the meeting is expected to contribute to enhanced security and cooperation among the member states. The conclusions of the meeting, to be announced on November 4, 2026, are expected to provide a framework for future collaboration on military frequency management.

The Sahel Alliance countries have been strengthening their cooperation in various areas, including defense, security, and communication. The current meeting in Bamako is a significant step towards achieving more effective coordination and cooperation in military frequency management. The success of this meeting will depend on the active participation and engagement of the experts and officials involved.

Key points

• The meeting aims to establish a common database of military frequencies used in border areas to limit interference.