Mali hosts Sahel alliance summit on integration, security challenges

By Oumar Sankare

BAMAKO, Mali (AA) - The leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger on Tuesday inaugurated the new confederal broadcaster headquarters during their second summit in Bamako, marking a key step toward shared media sovereignty for the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

Malian President Gen. Assimi Goita, Burkinabe President Capt. Ibrahim Traore and Nigerien President Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani jointly launched the AES Television, described in official communications as an instrument to counter disinformation and promote the region's narrative.

The inauguration followed arrivals and guided tours as part of the two-day summit, which opened Monday and focuses on evaluating the first year's roadmap for the AES confederation, formed in 2024. The three military-led nations formally withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in January.

A Burkinabe presidency statement released on Tuesday said the leaders would review implementation reports, adopt decisions to consolidate achievements and address major challenges facing the bloc. Traore was also scheduled to meet the Burkinabe community in Mali.

Recent milestones include the operational launch of the AES Unified Force (FU-AES) on Dec. 20, when Goita handed over its standard to the new commander, with headquarters in Niamey and plans for around 5,000 troops to combat armed groups.

The Confederal Bank for Investment and Development (BCID-AES), established earlier this month with an initial capital of 500 billion CFA francs (nearly $900 million), aims to finance infrastructure, energy and agriculture projects, reducing reliance on external donors.

The AES, encompassing some 78 million people, continues to deepen integration in security, economy and information, signaling a push for greater regional autonomy in the Sahel.