Alliance of Sahel States advances regional integration and security policy

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is advancing its institutional and economic integration through several key developments. In Niamey, high-ranking officials met to review the Confederation's second year of activities, recommending the adoption of a budgeted roadmap to ensure the effective implementation of planned actions.

In Burkina Faso, the government defended the AES position regarding delayed elections to UN Special Envoy Sahle-Work Zewde. Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré argued that security imperatives and the fight against jihadist groups must take precedence over electoral timelines, noting that transitions in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have been extended to prioritize national defense.

Additionally, the 8th edition of the West African Mining Week (SAMAO), coupled with the inaugural Energy, Mines, and Hydrocarbons Week of the AES (SEMH-AES), is scheduled for September 14–19, 2026, in Ouagadougou. The event aims to address the governance of extractive resources, geopolitical challenges, and regional cooperation in strategic sectors.