First Confederal Session of ESA Council of Ministers Opens in Bamako

Bamako, December 20, 2025 - The Koulouba Palace hosted the first confederal session of the Council of Ministers of the Confederation of Sahel States (ESA), chaired by General Assimi Goïta. The meeting reviewed the implementation report of the first-year roadmap and additional protocols on defense, diplomacy, and development, with participation from ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

In his address, Mr. Goïta condemned “economic and media terrorism” targeting the ESA, asserting that such pressures only strengthen the sovereign resolve of Sahelian peoples.

The session lays the groundwork for the second Heads of State meeting, scheduled for December 22-23, which is expected to accelerate regional integration, joint infrastructure, and security initiatives, thereby enhancing the Sahel’s autonomy from external influences.

Analysts note that ongoing tensions with ECOWAS could pose challenges to policy harmonization, requiring careful coordination to ensure sustainable progress.