The media regulatory authorities of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have adopted the founding texts of the Platform of Media and Communication Regulatory Authorities of the Alliance of Sahel States (PAREMEC) in Niamey on September 17-18, 2026. The platform aims to pool the competencies and resources of the three bodies to harmonize media and communication regulation within the confederal space. This move is part of the cooperation dynamic initiated by the member states of the Confederation, particularly since the July 6, 2024, treaty establishing the Confederation of Sahel States.
The conference, themed "Towards Concerted Governance of the Media and Digital Space of the AES: for Enhanced Information Sovereignty," highlighted the strategic stakes linked to controlling the information space. For the three regulatory authorities, information has become a major stake in sovereignty, social cohesion, and security. The platform seeks to provide a common response to new information challenges, including disinformation, hate speech, fact-checking, and responsibility in information dissemination.
The two-day meeting enabled the heads of the three bodies to share their regulatory experiences and practices. They finalized and adopted key texts governing the functioning of the new organization, including its charter and internal regulations. These texts, prepared after prior consultations, form the legal and organizational foundation of PAREMEC. This approach demonstrates a willingness to make cooperation between regulators a durable instrument for a more coordinated media space and enhanced information sovereignty.
The presidency of PAREMEC has been entrusted to Gaoussou Coulibaly, president of the High Authority of Communication (HAC) of Mali, with a rotating presidency based on the principle of collegiality. The Permanent Executive Secretariat of the Platform will be established in Niamey. Coulibaly expressed his determination to honor the trust of his peers and to conduct his mandate in a dynamic of cooperation and effectiveness.
The new platform is part of the Confederation's initiatives in the communication domain, including Radio Daandé Liptako, Télévision Tafouk, and the Confederal Communication Agency. The creation of PAREMEC marks a new step in the cooperation between the regulatory authorities of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, aiming to pool expertise and experiences to better respond to changes in the media and digital environment.
The conference was followed by the first extraordinary session of PAREMEC, during which the charter and internal regulations were formally adopted. The three presidents and their delegations also met with Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, Prime Minister of Niger, to present the conclusions of their meeting and seek his guidance to enable PAREMEC to contribute effectively to the Confederation's priority objectives.
With the creation of PAREMEC, the regulatory authorities of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have taken a new step in their cooperation, which goes beyond administrative coordination. The platform aims to provide a concerted approach to regulation within the AES space, enhancing information sovereignty and social cohesion.
Key points
- The Platform of Media and Communication Regulatory Authorities of the Alliance of Sahel States (PAREMEC) was established to harmonize media regulation and enhance information sovereignty.
- The platform's presidency has been entrusted to Gaoussou Coulibaly, president of the High Authority of Communication (HAC) of Mali.
- PAREMEC seeks to provide a common response to new information challenges, including disinformation and hate speech.
