On November 6, 2026, Malian President Assimi Goïta paid an official visit to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, where he met with Burkinabè President Ibrahim Traoré. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fighting terrorism and praised the progress made by the Sahel States Confederation (AES). This visit aimed to strengthen the special ties between Burkina Faso and Mali, particularly in the face of growing terrorist threats in the region.
The two presidents emphasized their determination to address common challenges, primarily the terrorist menace that has plagued both countries for over a decade. They tasked their foreign ministers, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré and Abdoulaye Diop, with preparing the 11th session of the Great Mixed Commission for Burkina-Mali cooperation, which will be held in Ouagadougou. No date has been set for this meeting.
The visit takes place within the context of the AES, established in September 2023 by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – three countries led by military regimes that have faced persistent insecurity. After announcing their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in January 2024, these states have accelerated their integration into the AES, focusing on collective defense, diplomacy, and development.
President Traoré, who currently holds the rotating presidency of the AES, welcomed President Goïta's appreciation for his vision and efforts to implement the organization's principles and objectives. The two leaders commended the significant progress made by the AES in promoting sovereignty in defense, security, diplomacy, development, health, and education among its member states.
During their meeting, Goïta and Traoré also discussed major continental and global issues, expressing satisfaction with their convergent views. President Goïta invited President Traoré to make an official visit to Mali, which was accepted; the date will be determined through diplomatic channels. This upcoming visit is expected to deepen discussions on practical modalities of confederal cooperation.
Traoré expressed gratitude to Goïta and the Malian people for the welcome extended to Burkinabè nationals who were "refouled from the Republic of Guinea." The communiqué did not provide details on the number of individuals concerned or the circumstances of these refoulements. Both presidents welcomed measures of hospitality and security provided to their citizens on the confederal territory and encouraged their communities to live in harmony.
This visit demonstrates the willingness of Malian and Burkinabè authorities to give substance to the AES, whose institutional and operational contours remain to be defined. While security cooperation forms the foundation of this alliance, issues like free movement, economic integration, and diplomatic coordination remain open. Key steps to assess the real scope of this confederal dynamic include the next session of the Great Mixed Commission and Traoré's announced visit to Bamako.
Key points
- Strengthening cooperation between Mali and Burkina Faso in the fight against terrorism.
- Promoting regional integration through the Sahel States Confederation.
- Enhancing diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.
