The Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has placed defence and security at the forefront of its integration agenda, as the bloc moves towards establishing a unified military force.
Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tchiani made this declaration on Tuesday, September 30 in Bamako at the end of his 24-hour visit to Mali. Addressing the press at the Koulouba Palace, he affirmed the leaders’ resolve to “create and strengthen a unified force whose general staff is operational with constituted battalions.” This general staff, headquartered in Niamey, Niger’s capital, will coordinate and handle all security and defence matters within the alliance.
President Tchiani further highlighted diplomacy and development as the two additional pillars underpinning the confederation. He stressed that the AES maintains a unified diplomatic stance, speaking with one voice on international platforms such as the United Nations and other forums. To ensure cohesion and progress across these three pillars, intermediate structures will be established to evaluate milestones and strategic objectives, fostering greater coordination among member states.
On the economic front, Tchiani announced plans to convene a meeting in Bamako to define the operational framework of the Confederation Bank for Investment and Development. The AES—comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—was born out of the Liptako-Gourma Charter signed in September 2023. The confederation was officially launched on 6 July 2024 in Niamey, signalling a decisive move towards building a robust economic and military bloc in the Sahel region.