AES: Sovereignty and Solidarity, the confederation’s new course
A few hours before their final withdrawal from ECOWAS, the countries of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) are refining the final stages of this historic transition. On Sunday, January 26, 2025, the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger met in Ouagadougou to review the strategic documents drafted by their experts.
The opening ceremony was marked by speeches from Ministers Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré (Burkina Faso), Bakary Yaou Sangaré (Niger), and Abdoulaye Diop (Mali), the latter presiding over the AES. This meeting aimed to clarify the stakes of leaving ECOWAS and to define the prospects for coexistence with the regional organization.
In his address, Malian Minister Abdoulaye Diop emphasized the need for constant vigilance in managing the implications of this withdrawal. According to him, the AES represents integration without interference, manipulation, or domination. He stated that the people of the three nations must regard each other as equals, far from any mission imposed by external powers.
Diop highlighted the successes achieved in terms of security and politics, thanks to the pooling of efforts. He praised the offensive stance of the Defense and Security Forces, as well as the diplomatic coordination that allows the AES countries to speak with one voice on the international stage.
For his part, Bakary Yaou Sangaré stressed the importance of having a comprehensive negotiation strategy with ECOWAS, including a timeline and practical measures for a smooth withdrawal. He reaffirmed the commitment of the three heads of state to make the AES a space of sovereignty, prosperity, and peace.
Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, for his part, reminded everyone that the AES was born from a shared will to regain sovereignty and respond to the needs of the populations. The meeting’s goal was to harmonize positions and ensure a successful exit from ECOWAS.
Thus, the AES countries reaffirm their determination to chart their own course, based on autonomy, solidarity, and mutual respect.
