Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have coordinated their diplomatic positions at a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Baghdad, seeking to advance the priorities of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and strengthen ties with the organisation.
The three countries held consultations on the sidelines of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers’ 52nd session, which took place on 17-18 October 2026 under the theme of dialogue, solidarity, peace and sustainable development.
Discussions focused on coordinating the countries’ contributions, incorporating AES priorities into OIC resolutions, strengthening the organisation’s regional office in Niger and aligning positions on candidates seeking support within the OIC’s African Group.
The delegations also discussed the next edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), scheduled for 27 February to 6 March 2027 in Burkina Faso’s capital.
The consultations reflect the three Sahelian states’ efforts to present a common position in multilateral forums and build support for their shared interests among OIC member states.
