AES: Mali reaffirms its unwavering support for Burkina Faso’s leadership of the Sahel Confederation
On Monday, January 12, 2026, Bamako was the setting for a fraternal working session between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mali, Abdoulaye Diop, and a delegation from the National Commission of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) of Mali, led by its president, Bassolma Bazié. This courtesy and working visit is part of the ongoing reinforcement of cooperation between the national structures of the AES, following the recent designation of Burkina Faso’s President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, to the presidency of the Confederation.
The exchanges allowed for a constructive assessment of the organization’s first steps. Minister Diop highlighted the challenges overcome in making the Confederation operational and the shared results achieved in implementing its first-year roadmap.
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Particular emphasis was placed on lessons learned from coordinating confederal activities and on future prospects; all oriented toward realizing the aspirations of the populations, in line with the shared vision of the three member heads of state.
A common priority emerged at the heart of the discussions: the need to place the essential needs of the people at the center of the actions of AES.
Both parties stressed the importance of implementing concrete projects that directly impact living conditions, notably by strengthening free movement and accelerating socio-economic integration.
This spirit of fraternity, solidarity, and pragmatism guides the approach of the organization, whose long-term vision is to pursue deeper integration, potentially of a federal nature.
Commending the significant progress made under the inaugural mandate of Malian President General Assimi Goïta, Bassolma Bazié requested Mali’s continued support and accompaniment in carrying out the confederal missions, now under the Burkinabe presidency.
Minister Abdoulaye Diop gave an unequivocal response to this request. “The train of the AES Confederation has only changed drivers, but Mali remains on board to reach the agreed destination together,” he affirmed.
He reiterated the constant and unwavering commitment of the Malian authorities and people to accompany and support the realization of the shared vision.
This commitment focuses particularly on strategic areas such as securing the confederal space, promoting sustainable development, and shared prosperity; thereby strengthening the dynamics of integration and common diplomacy.
This meeting thus confirmed the solidity of the partnership within the AES and the shared will to advance in step toward tangible achievements.
Neil Camara
