Alliance of Sahel States conducts diplomatic outreach at UN General Assembly

Delegates from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Confederation, comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, conducted a series of diplomatic engagements on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.

During a high-level event, AES representatives, including Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine and foreign ministers from the three member states, presented their vision for sustainable peace and economic development. The delegation aimed to correct perceived misinformation regarding the confederation and emphasize that its activities extend beyond military cooperation to include various developmental fronts. Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traore stated that future partnerships must align with the AES vision and the national policies of its member states.

In separate meetings, AES ministers held discussions with representatives from Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. The European nations sought direct dialogue to better understand the evolving situation in the Sahel. While the AES ministers expressed concerns regarding alleged European support for terrorist groups and subversive activities, they maintained that the confederation remains open to cooperation based on mutual respect for sovereignty and the interests of its member states.