Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, received on Wednesday the foreign affairs ministers of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) in Ouagadougou.
The delegation, led by Mali’s foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop, briefed President Traoré on progress made in preparations for the upcoming AES Heads of State Summit. This ministerial meeting is a key step ahead of the second session of the College of Heads of State, scheduled for 22–23 December 2025 in Bamako, Diop said after his audience with Traore.
The talks also centred on the implementation of the AES roadmap, structured around its three core pillars: defence, diplomacy and development.
The foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Jean Marie Traoré, Mali’s Abdoulaye Diop, and Niger’s Bakary Yaou Sangare reviewed expert reports aimed at strengthening confederal dynamics. They welcomed progress achieved, particularly on the security front, with advances made by defence and security forces and the establishment of the AES unified force.
On the diplomatic front, the overarching goal remains ensuring that the AES “speaks with one voice” to bolster its regional and international standing, Diop stressed.
The development pillar was also addressed. The ministers announced the imminent launch of the AES Confederated Bank for Investment and Development (BCID-AES), as well as upcoming AES media outlets intended to enhance the confederation’s visibility and communication.
For Niger’s foreign minister Bakary Yaou Sangare, the Ouagadougou meeting marks a decisive stage in the “architectural construction of the confederation,” notably through the in-depth review of foundational legal texts and instruments.
President Ibrahim Traoré encouraged the ministers to maintain their momentum and meet the challenges ahead in order to fulfil the aspirations of the Sahel’s populations.
According to Diop, the progress made so far demonstrates the member states’ ability to meet the objectives set by their Heads of State, driven by a clear political vision and sustained commitment.
HO/te/lb/as/APA