On September 18, 2026, Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine received two delegations from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) at his office. The delegations comprised ministers in charge of foreign affairs, defense, and national security, as well as regulators from the AES member states. The meetings focused on enhancing cooperation and collaboration between Niger and other AES member states.
The first delegation consisted of ministers responsible for foreign affairs and defense from AES member states, along with officials from the AES National Commission. The second delegation, led by Ibrahim Manzo Diallo, president of the National Observatory of Communication, represented the Platform of Media Regulators of the AES. The delegations discussed various issues, including communication regulation and media development within the AES.
During the meeting, Ouédraogo Wendigoudi Louis Modeste, president of the National Communication Council of Burkina Faso, expressed gratitude to the Nigerien authorities for their support to media regulators. He highlighted that the meeting aimed to present their respects to the Prime Minister and report on the activities of the Platform of Media Regulators and Communication of the AES Confederation.
The Prime Minister emphasized the crucial role of media regulatory institutions in achieving the AES Confederation's priority objectives. He reaffirmed his support and that of the highest authorities of the AES for the regulators. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of communication in the context of information warfare and encouraged cooperation among regulators.
The Prime Minister advised the regulators to create conditions for good cooperation to effectively regulate the media in the AES space. He recommended increased vigilance due to external attacks and promised to support their actions and advocate for the regulators' institutions to be equipped with sufficient resources.
The meetings took place against the backdrop of the AES Confederation's efforts to enhance cooperation among its member states. The AES aims to promote economic, social, and cultural development, as well as ensure security and stability in the region. The Platform of Media Regulators and Communication of the AES Confederation is a key initiative to regulate the media and communication landscape.
The Nigerien government's efforts to engage with AES member states and support media regulators demonstrate its commitment to regional cooperation and effective communication regulation. The outcome of the meetings is expected to contribute to the development of a robust media regulatory framework within the AES Confederation.
Key points
- The Prime Minister of Niger received two AES delegations to discuss cooperation, communication regulation, and media development.
- The meetings focused on enhancing cooperation and collaboration between Niger and other AES member states.
- The Prime Minister emphasized the crucial role of media regulatory institutions in achieving the AES Confederation's priority objectives.
