New Sahel Confederation challenges regional order as ECOWAS seeks dialogue

(L-R) Mali’s Colonel Assimi Goïta, Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tiani, Burkina Faso’s Capt Ibrahim Traoré at the first summit of the Alliance of the Sahel States (AES) in Niamey where they signed a confederation treaty. © YouTube / RTN (screen grab)

The military heads of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger convened for the inaugural summit of the Confederation of the Sahel States (AES). The leaders emphasised territorial and popular sovereignty as core principles of their leadership through a new treaty. Concurrently, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is exploring strategies to persuade these nations to realign with the regional bloc.

Colonel Assimi Goïta of Mali, Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso and Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tiani met in Niamey, a day ahead of the summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), held on Sunday 7 July in Abuja.