Sahel Alliance launches Tafouk TV to promote regional sovereignty

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have officially launched Tafouk TV, a joint television network aimed at strengthening information sovereignty within the Sahel region. Operating under the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), the channel began regular broadcasts on September 16, 2026, from Bamako, Mali.

The initiative seeks to provide an alternative to international news platforms by broadcasting local perspectives on political, military, and social developments. The programming includes news, educational, and cultural content, featuring multiple languages such as Bambara, Hausa, Moré, Fulfulde, French, and English.

Project leaders, including director Salif Sanogo, describe the move as a way to counter external narratives and what they term a ‘cognitive war’ regarding the perception of African governments. The launch follows a broader geopolitical shift in the region, characterized by a distancing from Western powers, particularly France, and the strengthening of strategic alliances with Russia.