The Council of Ministers has announced that Bamako will host the first meeting of justice ministers from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) on May 29 and 30, 2025.
The primary objective of this groundbreaking summit is to lay the groundwork for a unified judicial framework aimed at addressing cross-border challenges across the Sahel region.
The announcement was made by Mali’s Minister of Justice and Human Rights during a government session held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. This marks a significant step for the AES Confederation, which was established in July 2024 and comprises Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The alliance seeks to bolster political, security, and economic cooperation among its member states. Following the inauguration of a national committee last November in Bamako and Mali’s assumption of the rotating presidency, this meeting further solidifies the AES’s evolving judicial structure.
Towards a harmonized judicial space
According to the Minister, discussions during the summit will focus on critical areas including the harmonization of legal texts, the establishment of joint judicial institutions, and the operationalization of judicial and penitentiary cooperation mechanisms. The overarching goal is to create a permanent framework for consultation and collaboration among the justice ministers of the three member countries.
This initiative is part of a broader regional integration dynamic within the AES, which has already seen the adoption of a common flag and passport, alongside efforts to develop shared security projects, notably through the AES’s initiatives on common defense and international sanctions.
In a region where Sahelian countries are striving to strengthen their judicial institutions, this inaugural ministerial meeting represents a pivotal step towards establishing structured collective justice. This will involve setting common standards and defining mutual legal assistance mechanisms to more effectively manage cross-border cases and address prison-related issues.
The decision to host the Ministerial Justice Summit underscores Mali’s commitment, both as the host country and the current President of the Confederation, to play a leading role in the establishment of this vital regional mechanism. This initiative holds the potential to significantly contribute to a more integrated judicial system capable of effectively confronting the complex security and legal challenges facing the Sahel.
MD/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA