Sahel alliance mulls “authentic narrative” from own media

Burkina Faso’s Minister of Communication, Pingdwende Gilbert Ouedraogo, opened a workshop in Ouagadougou on Monday, aimed at strengthening the strategic role of media outlets within the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

For five days, experts from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger will work on creating a powerful media platform capable of defending the region’s sovereignty in the face of global geopolitical challenges.

Faced with a realignment of international alliances and the decisive influence of information on the perception of reality, the AES confederation is launching a media offensive.

From January 26 to 30, 2026, the Burkinabe capital is hosting an expert workshop dedicated to strengthening the strategic role of media in the Sahel region.

The goal of the meeting is to enable AES member countries to assert themselves by effectively conveying their vision on the international stage.

According to the authorities, the aim is to defend the sovereignty of member states within a complex geopolitical context.

For Pingdwende Gilbert Ouedraogo, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, this framework for reflection should serve to harmonise approaches and share experiences among the three sister nations.

Towards a confederal “media group”

Strengthening this strategy rests on several essential pillars. According to Minister Ouédraogo, these include training media professionals to meet current challenges, modernising communication tools, and producing locally produced content to promote an authentic narrative based on the shared aspirations of the Sahel’s people.

The minister recalled that this momentum aligns with the vision of the three heads of state, which has already led to the creation of the radio station “Daande Liptako” and the AES Television (TV-AES), launched on December 17 and 23, 2025, respectively, in Ouagadougou and Bamako.

The confederation’s media landscape is poised to expand. Mr. Ouedraogo announced that a third strategic tool will be created in Niger in the coming months.

This future body will complement the existing structure to officially form the “AES Confederation Media Group,” a powerful communications force designed to promote public policies and cooperation within the alliance.

HO/Sf/fss/as/APA