Bamako has been hosting on Friday strategic consultations between defense ministers of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).
Malian President Assimi Goïta was also present to review regional security cooperation and common challenges for the new grouping consisting of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Goïta, who also currently chairs the AES, received the defense chiefs of the member states for high-level talks focused on regional security and military cooperation.
The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen defense collaboration in response to persistent security threats across the Sahel region.
“This meeting provided an opportunity to assess the implementation of the shared strategic vision adopted by the AES heads of state,” Malian Defense Minister General Sadio Camara told the press.
He said discussions covered progress in joint operations coordination, resource pooling, and the consolidation of gains made in countering regional threats.
The minister also praised the “remarkable efforts” of the defense and security forces of the three AES countries, emphasising their collective ability to contain threats in a spirit of regional solidarity.
President Goïta encouraged the ministers to sustain joint action, enhance the operational capacities of national armies, and deepen a sovereign military partnership within the AES framework.
AC/lb/as/APA