AES: President Abdourahamane Tiani receives the health ministers of the three Member States in Niamey
In a significant step toward regional integration, the President of Niger General Abdourahamane Tiani received health ministers from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) during a solemn audience in Niamey on Thursday. This high-level meeting marks the first ministerial gathering on health matters since the creation of the confederation between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
The discussions focused on developing a coordinated health policy to address the Sahel’s structural challenges, including recurrent epidemics, humanitarian crises, and the need for collective pandemic response. President Tiani emphasized the urgency of establishing a sovereign, solidarity-based health strategy tailored to the region’s specific needs.
During the audience, ministers outlined their roadmap featuring several key initiatives: the creation of a Confederation Health Advisory Council, joint vaccination programs, and strengthened cross-border healthcare systems. A central theme emerged ; the need for self-sufficient health financing free from external dependencies that often distort national priorities.
President Tiani strongly endorsed these efforts, calling for rapid implementation of resource-sharing mechanisms, particularly for local medicine production, health worker training, and emergency epidemic management. The meeting represents a concrete translation of the AES political alliance into practical cooperation that directly benefits citizens’ wellbeing.
This pioneering health collaboration signals the three nations’ commitment to building sovereignty beyond security matters, addressing fundamental needs through South-South partnership. As the Sahel faces growing health challenges amid geopolitical shifts, this initiative could establish an important model for autonomous crisis response in developing regions.
Neil Camara
