The foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, meeting in Bamako under the framework of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), have agreed on new measures to reinforce diplomatic coordination and ensure the bloc “speaks with one voice” on regional and international issues. Chaired by Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, the session brought together Mali’s Abdoulaye Diop and Niger’s Bakary Yaou Sangaré as part of the implementation of the AES Year II diplomatic roadmap. The ministers adopted steps to strengthen consultation mechanisms, improve coordination among embassies and consulates, and advance plans for a confederal diplomatic network to enhance the AES presence on the global stage, including preparations for the 81st UN General Assembly in 2026.
On security, the ministers condemned recent “terrorist and destabilizing” attacks targeting AES member states, including the April 25 assault on transitional institutions in Mali and the June 18 attempted incursion at Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport. They denounced what they described as disinformation campaigns and external interference, while praising the response of national defense forces. The meeting also reaffirmed commitments to deepen institutional integration within the confederation and strengthen cooperation in both diplomatic and media spheres to counter hostile narratives and support sovereignty, security, and development across the Sahel region.
