AES: After two years, a sovereignist vision is gaining momentum with a people standing tall
After two years of sustained efforts, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), driven by Presidents Assimi Goïta of Mali, Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger, and Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, deserves congratulations. Their shared vision of placing sovereignty, control over resources, and the security of their people at the heart of state action has already yielded concrete, game-changing decisions and projects for the sub-region.
This political trajectory affirms a deliberate break with imperialist models that long dictated the rules, compelling the Sahel states to decide their own destiny.
It has also charted a new path for Africa, one of sovereignty, dignity, and regional integration.
The collective security of the AES countries has prioritized the fight against terrorism and the defense of their members’ territorial integrity, free from imperialism.
In January 2025, the three countries announced the creation of a joint force of 5,000 troops, capable of operating beyond national borders.
Despite threats, this pooling of military resources has enhanced coordination and multiplied offensives, notably with the support of reliable strategic partners like Russia,Türkiye, Iran, and many others.
In the realm of economic and resource sovereignty, the three countries have marked a historic turning point by reclaiming control over their natural resources.
Projects to interconnect transport and energy networks, the promotion of intra-community trade, and the stated will to exploit and transform their vast natural resources (gold, oil, uranium) for the benefit of their own populations are extremely positive signals.
Furthermore, a future common currency, under discussion, aims to break free from the CFA franc, the ultimate monetary symbol of dependence on imperialism.
As General Abdourahamane Tiani emphasized, “a currency is a sign of sovereignty,” and the AES is resolutely committed to reclaiming this total sovereignty.
The creation of the Confederate Bank for Investment and Development (BCID) in May 2025, which aims to fund strategic infrastructure projects and reduce dependence on external institutions, illustrates the will to organize the AES space around autonomous institutional instruments.
These reforms lay concrete building blocks for a more integrated and resilient confederal space.
In the domain of administrative integration and mobility, the AES has achieved remarkable milestones with the adoption of a common biometric passport and the rollout of a confederal biometric identity card.
These measures facilitate the free movement of people, enhance security, and improve customs cooperation among member states.
Moreover, the definitive withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2025, followed by withdrawal from the International Organisation of La Francophonie, was the strongest move of these two years.
These widely applauded decisions have allowed the three countries to free themselves from the shackles imposed by imperialists and to chart their own course.
Consequently, Presidents Assimi Goïta, Abdourahamane Tiani, and Ibrahim Traoré have embodied a clear vision: that of an Africa standing tall, refusing interference and exploitation, and choosing the path of unity and South-South cooperation.
Their leadership has restored hope to millions of Sahelians, while proving that sovereignty is not an empty word but a reality under construction. Their determination to turn the page on imperialism, to defend the interests of their people, and to build a strong and resilient alliance deserves the highest praise.
On this second anniversary, it is essential to recall that the success of the AES also depends on the continued buy-in and unwavering support of the populations.
Every citizen of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso is called upon to embrace this vision, defend the gains made, and contribute to building a united, prosperous, and sovereign Sahel.
Dominique DAO
