The Ministers of Foreign Affairs from the Sahel Confederation, comprising Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, met with their diaspora communities in New York on September 27, 2026. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The event drew a large turnout of diaspora members from various cities in the United States and Canada. The meeting provided a platform for direct exchanges between the diplomatic authorities and their compatriots on the progress of the Alliance of Sahel States.
Niger's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, alongside his counterparts from Burkina Faso and Mali, presented the main advances in consolidating the Confederation. The discussions focused on security, development, diplomatic cooperation, and integration among the three states. The Ministers also highlighted initiatives to operationalize the Confederation's structures, including the Unified Force, media and financial instruments, and the gradual establishment of its institutions.
The diaspora communities expressed their commitment to the dynamic initiated by the Heads of State of the three countries and their willingness to contribute to the economic and social development of the member states. They called for greater consideration of their expertise, skills, and investment capacities in public policies and development projects. The diaspora also raised the issue of monetary sovereignty and the need for mechanisms to facilitate investments in the three countries.
The relationship between the Sahel Confederation and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was also discussed. The Ministers recalled the position of the three states regarding their withdrawal from the regional organization and emphasized their desire for future relations based on a partnership that respects the interests of the peoples of the West African region.
At the end of the exchanges, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs invited the diaspora to strengthen its role in promoting and explaining the confederal dynamic, particularly in the face of misinformation about the three countries. They also called on the nationals of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to strengthen their unity and solidarity, relying on diaspora associations, diplomatic and consular representations, and existing coordination mechanisms.
The New York meeting reflects the willingness of the AES authorities to engage with their diaspora communities and ensure their active participation in the development of the Confederation. The event demonstrated the importance of the diaspora in promoting the Sahel Confederation's objectives and addressing the challenges facing the region.
The Sahel Confederation was established to promote cooperation and integration among its member states, with a focus on security, development, and economic growth. The Confederation's progress and challenges were discussed during the meeting, highlighting the need for continued support and engagement from the diaspora communities.
Key points
- The Sahel Confederation's Ministers of Foreign Affairs met with diaspora communities in New York to discuss progress and challenges.
- The diaspora communities expressed their commitment to contributing to the economic and social development of the member states.
- The relationship between the Sahel Confederation and ECOWAS was discussed, with the Ministers emphasizing their desire for a partnership that respects the interests of the peoples of the West African region.
