The African Union has announced a shift in its engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) following talks held in Ouagadougou between Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, and the new Head of the AU Mission for the Sahel (MISAHEL), Dr. Mamadou Tangara.
The meeting, which took place on February 9, 2026, marked the first official engagement between the new MISAHEL leadership and Burkinabe authorities and focused on security and political challenges facing the Sahel.
Discussions emphasized the AU’s intention to rebuild dialogue with Ouagadougou, Bamako, and Niamey, while adopting a revised approach that prioritizes the direct participation of AES member states in mediation and consultation processes.
Burkina Faso welcomed the renewed engagement but called for a reassessment of the AU’s previous posture toward the Sahel bloc. Minister Traoré highlighted the need for greater institutional introspection within the pan-African body, criticizing past sanctions and narratives applied to AES countries.
He urged the AU to rebuild trust through transparent and balanced engagement that reflects the aspirations of Sahelian populations.
The visit was described as a significant step toward restoring cooperation between the AU and the AES at a time when the region continues to grapple with deep security, governance, and sovereignty challenges.
