Ministers responsible for public service, labor, and social protection from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Confederation gathered in Ouagadougou on November 13, 2026. The meeting aimed to adopt draft guides on public service best practices, migrant workers, and harmonization of labor migration practices. The opening ceremony was held under the high patronage of Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel OUEDRAOGO, represented by Minister Pr Adjima THIOMBIANO.
The Minister of Public Servants, Mathias TRAORE, expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for prioritizing governance, labor, and social protection issues in the construction of AES states. He emphasized the importance of adapting and regularly updating the guide on public service best practices to ensure its effectiveness. TRAORE highlighted the historical mobility of workers in the Sahel region, which presents both opportunities and challenges.
Minister TRAORE noted that the mobility of workers is a rich human, economic, and cultural resource that must be preserved and valued. He stressed that strengthening cooperation among AES countries requires better organization of this mobility to contribute to the development of more sovereign and free states. The meeting is crucial in examining and validating key dossiers, including the proposed guides.
Minister of Public Service, Labor, and Employment of Niger, Aissatou Abdoulaye Tondi, underscored the significance of the meeting. She stated that the proposed instruments represent significant progress in realizing the common ambition of AES countries. The sharing of best practices in public service will bring administrations closer, improve their performance, and enhance their capacity to respond to population needs.
The meeting, which began on November 10, 2026, with expert discussions, aims to validate proposals submitted by ministers. The ambition of AES countries is to create a space where competencies can be valued, labor needs better met, and workers supported in their professional journeys. The ministers seek to construct an environment that promotes the portability of social benefits for workers within the AES Confederation.
The adoption of these guides is expected to promote cooperation and coordination among AES countries in the areas of public service, labor, and social protection. The meeting's outcome will likely have a positive impact on the lives of workers and populations within the AES Confederation. The event demonstrates the commitment of AES countries to addressing common challenges and opportunities.
The next steps for the AES Confederation will involve implementing the adopted guides and monitoring their effectiveness. The success of these initiatives will depend on the commitment and collaboration of member states. The meeting in Ouagadougou marks a significant step towards achieving the goals of the AES Confederation in promoting regional cooperation and development.
Key points
- Ministers from AES countries adopt guidelines for public service best practices and labor migration.
- The guides aim to promote cooperation, improve administration performance, and enhance social benefits portability.
- The meeting demonstrates AES countries' commitment to addressing common challenges and opportunities in public service, labor, and social protection.
