Mali played host at the inaugural edition of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Games which was held in its capital Bamako from June 21 to 28, 2025.
Over 500 professional athletes from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger took part in a week-long competition featuring football, traditional wrestling, archery, and other sporting events.
The AES Games form part of a broader effort by the three nations to foster unity and strengthen cooperation under the newly formed Alliance of Sahel States, a political and security bloc established by the military-led governments.
At the closing ceremony, the AES flag was officially handed over to Burkina Faso’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Roland Somda, as the country prepares to host the next edition in 2026.
