Malian Justice Minister Mamoudou Kassogue has emphasised the importance of a unified body of the Alliance of Sahel States, which aims to harmonise national legal frameworks and strengthen the fight against cross-border crime.
Tuesday’s discussions focused on the establishment of joint judicial institutions, cooperation in penitentiary matters, and the professionalization of justice sector stakeholders.
This approach takes place in a particularly tense regional context, facing serious security threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. A report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reveals that cocaine seizures in the Sahel reached 1,466 kg in 2022, compared to an annual average of only 13 kg between 2013 and 2020.
The ministerial conference scheduled for Bamako on May 29 and 30, 2025, should formalise the commitments made during this preparatory session.
The challenge is to build a common legal foundation to strengthen both the sovereignty and security of member states in a region seeking stability.
MD/te/Sf/fss/as/APA