State sovereignty, the consolidation of the Confederation, and the defence of the interests of their
populations are the three priorities for the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
This is as it approaches negotiations with the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), scheduled for October 17-18 in Dakar.
Meeting in Ouagadougou on Friday, the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger aligned their positions ahead of these first formal consultations between the AES and Ecowas, according to a statement from the Burkinabe Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This alignment centres on three key imperatives: state sovereignty, the consolidation of the Confederation, and the defence of the interests of their populations.
The talks planned for the Senegalese capital are intended to define future relations between the AES and Ecowas, specifically through the development of new institutional and legal arrangements.
During the meeting, Karamoko Jean Marie Traore, Abdoulaye Diop, and Bakary Yaou Sangare reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the sovereignty of the three nations, while emphasising the importance of preserving historical ties between the populations of the Sahel and those of other West African states.
The free movement of people and goods is also among the primary issues that the AES authorities intend to advocate for during these talks.
Furthermore, the foreign ministers of the three countries expressed their preference for an approach rooted in responsibility, mutual respect, and consideration for the interests of their populations.
They also advocated for African-led solutions to regional challenges.
Established in 2023 by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the AES was further solidified by the three countries’ formal withdrawal from Ecowas in January 2025.
The Dakar negotiations thus represent a significant milestone in defining future relations between the two organisations, against a backdrop characterized by the Sahelian states’ desire to consolidate their political and institutional autonomy.
HO/te/Sf/fss/as/APA