At the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, held on April 12, 2025, Burkinabe Foreign Minister Jean Marie Traore presented the vision of the leaders of the Confederation of Sahel States (CES) as part of the panel entitled “Sahel: The Future of Regional Integration.”
Speaking in Antalya on the genesis of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Traore highlighted Ecowas’s inability to embody true regional solidarity in the face of major security challenges.
“Faced with insecurity and terrorism, our countries have had to open their eyes to their real needs, weaknesses, and potential for cooperation. It is from this realisation that the confederal vision of
the AES was born, based on courageous decisions and the exploitation of our own resources,” he explained.
For the head of Burkinabe diplomacy, the creation of the AES allows for the redrawing of the
contours of a more coherent and robust Sahel region.
Since its creation in September 2023, the Alliance has made progress that must now be preserved and strengthened to offer new economic, social, and security perspectives.
“This is about laying the foundations for a genuine sub-regional economic recovery, building dynamic domestic markets, something that has been sorely lacking until now. We are starting again with a structured, endogenous economy to expand throughout the region,” Jean Marie Traore said.
On the security front, he mentioned the establishment of a unified operational space between Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which, according to him, redefines “the mental map of the Sahel” and
establishes a new dynamic of regional solidarity.
He also emphasised that the Confederation of Sahel States brings a breath of hope to a long-marginalised region.
“We are reinforcing our internal capabilities and providing a secure environment for investors. The Sahelian market we want to create will be fueled by the Sahelians themselves. Our resources, such as gold and uranium, must first benefit our populations,” he emphasised.
Despite a significant portion of budgets – around 25 percent – devoted to security, Jean Marie Traore emphasized that the AES states continue to invest in social services: drilling, schools, food, etc.
“The economic growth we are experiencing is comparable, and sometimes even superior, to that of some countries at peace,” he said.
Regarding cooperation with Turkey, the minister clarified that it is not limited to the military aspect.
“The partnership also extends to development and social issues, efforts that are often invisible,” he
lamented.
On the issue of sanctions imposed by the African Union and Ecowas, Jean Marie Traore acknowledged that they have an impact on the participation of ESA countries in certain bodies, but without altering bilateral friendly relations.
According to him, coups are a symptom of deeper problems, which Ecowas has approached from a perspective disconnected from reality.
“Sanctions delay understanding of our real difficulties, but they in no way undermine ties with countries that take the time to understand our approach,” he noted.
He concluded: “The Sahelian populations fully support this confederal project, because they see it as a response to their daily lives. It is up to us, as leaders, to translate these aspirations into public policy.”
HO/te/Sf/fss/as/APA