The Confédération des États du Sahel (AES) has taken a significant step in building its common institutions with the launch of Tafouk TV, a confederal television channel. On September 16, 2026, the channel officially started its regular programming, marking a new milestone in the integration of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The channel aims to promote regional integration, valorize Sahelian cultures, and strengthen the information sovereignty of the AES.
Tafouk TV is presented as a common television channel for Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, with a mission to broadcast news about the AES, report on policies conducted in the three states, and offer content dedicated to the societies, cultures, and realities of the Sahel. The channel will feature national languages from the three countries, alongside French, and will include several news editions, magazines, reports, and thematic programs.
The launch of Tafouk TV follows a process initiated several months ago. The creation of the channel was formalized in December 2025 in Bamako by an agreement between the three member states. The Collège des chefs d’État de l’AES then officially launched the channel on December 23, 2025, and in June 2026, the council of administration was installed, and the channel's facilities in Bamako were visited.
Tafouk TV joins the confederal media device already established around Daandè Liptako, the common radio of the AES. The new channel is expected to contribute to "information sovereignty," a central objective in the communication strategy of the AES. Tafouk TV will offer a Sahelian perspective on regional and international news, highlighting common initiatives of the three countries.
The channel's launch occurs as the AES expands its instruments in various domains. Initially focused on defense and security cooperation, the organization has broadened its action to diplomacy, economy, development, culture, and now media. Tafouk TV will also promote better mutual understanding among the populations of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
With the effective start of Tafouk TV, the AES now has a new tool to present its actions, relay events organized in its member states, and accompany the construction of a common media space. The channel's programming will feature a mix of news, magazines, and thematic programs, showcasing the diversity of the Sahel region.
The launch of Tafouk TV marks a significant milestone in the development of the AES, demonstrating the commitment of its member states to regional integration and cooperation. The channel is expected to play a key role in promoting the AES's objectives and values, and in fostering a sense of community among its populations.
Key points
- Tafouk TV aims to promote regional integration and cultural exchange among Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
- The channel will feature national languages from the three countries, alongside French.
- Tafouk TV is part of the AES's efforts to strengthen its information sovereignty and promote a Sahelian perspective on regional and international news.
