Second Ordinary Session of the AES College of Heads of State Concludes in Bamako

Bamako, December 23, 2025 - The Second Ordinary Session of the College of Heads of State of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) concluded on Tuesday in Bamako, marking a decisive milestone in the consolidation of the confederal project uniting Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The session was held under the chairmanship of General Assimi Goïta, President of the Transition of Mali and outgoing President of the AES. The meeting brought together Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President of Burkina Faso, and General Abdourahamane Tiani, President of the Republic of Niger. The Heads of State conducted an in-depth review of the political, security, economic, and institutional situation of the Confederation, as well as the level of implementation of decisions adopted since its creation. Validation of Ministerial Work and Strategic Roadmap The College welcomed the Summary of Conclusions of the First Confederal Council of Ministers, held on December 20-21, 2025, in Bamako. The opening ceremony of that session was chaired by General Assimi Goïta, while the substantive work was led by Major General Abdoulaye Maïga, Prime Minister of Mali. The Heads of State commended the quality of the document and approved its recommendations. They also examined and endorsed: The General Report on the implementation of the AES Year-One Roadmap; The Synthesis Report on negotiations between AES and ECOWAS. Strengthening the Institutional Foundations of the Confederation The College praised the leadership of President Assimi Goïta for the effective implementation of the decisions adopted during the first AES summit held on July 6, 2024, in Niamey, and for advancing the Confederation’s first-year roadmap. Significant progress was acknowledged in strengthening the identity, visibility, and international recognition of AES, notably through: The adoption of a flag, logo, anthem, and motto; The issuance of confederal identity and travel documents; The launch of AES Television and Radio; The establishment of the Confederal Investment and Development Bank (BCID-AES), which is set to become fully operational. On telecommunications, the College urged ministers to accelerate measures facilitating intra-AES communications and connectivity with neighboring states. Adoption of Key Legal Instruments To consolidate the three strategic pillars of the Confederation-security, diplomacy, and development-the College adopted several Additional Protocols to the AES Treaty, covering: Defense and security cooperation; Coordination of diplomatic action; Coordination of development policies; Organization of confederal parliamentary sessions. The Council of Ministers was instructed to ensure effective implementation of these instruments. Security, Terrorism, and Geopolitical Challenges The Heads of State strongly condemned terrorist attacks targeting AES member states, denouncing the involvement of foreign state sponsors, including actors within the region. They reaffirmed their unwavering unity, solidarity, and mutual assistance, emphasizing that any aggression against one member state constitutes an attack against the entire Confederation. The College also condemned: Economic and media warfare; Disinformation campaigns; Judicial manipulation aimed at undermining AES states and seizing their natural resources. Ministers were instructed to counter these actions through coordinated communication strategies and the dissemination of reliable, official information. The Heads of State commended the joint operations of the defense and security forces, noting a significant reduction in terrorist operational capacity. They also welcomed the official presentation of the flag to the Unified Forces of the AES (UF-AES), marking their formal entry into service. In the legal domain, justice ministers were encouraged to strengthen judicial cooperation within the Confederation and with external partners, in line with AES sovereignty and regional realities. Diplomatic Coordination and International Positioning The College highlighted the emergence of AES as a major geopolitical actor in the sub-region. It welcomed the growing practice of pre-consultations before international meetings, enabling the Confederation to speak with one voice and support the candidacies of its member states within international organizations. Foreign ministers were encouraged to deepen cooperation between diplomatic missions and consular services, while the AES diaspora was recognized as a strategic partner in development and international advocacy. Development, Economic Sovereignty, and Integration The Heads of State welcomed progress in economic integration, particularly: The implementation of the AES Contribution Mechanism (PC-AES); The creation of the BCID-AES as a tool for endogenous and sustainable financing. They called for accelerated harmonization of economic policies, including customs, mining, transport, industry, and investment frameworks, as well as the free movement of people and goods. The College reaffirmed strong support for member states exercising full sovereignty over natural resources, condemning legal harassment linked to such sovereign decisions. Youth and women were identified as central actors in building a resilient and inclusive economic model. Relations with ECOWAS The College took note of progress in consultations with ECOWAS and approved the conclusions of the May 22, 2025 meeting in Bamako between AES foreign ministers and the President of the ECOWAS Commission. The Heads of State reiterated their commitment to good-faith negotiations, prioritizing the interests of West African peoples bound by historic ties. Leadership Transition and Future Outlook In a key decision, the College appointed Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President of Burkina Faso, as President of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) for a one-year term. In his inaugural address, President Traoré paid tribute to General Assimi Goïta’s leadership and outlined the priority areas for the AES’s second-year roadmap, emphasizing continuity, security consolidation, economic sovereignty, and deeper integration. General Assimi Goïta, in his closing remarks, thanked his peers for their trust and support and congratulated President Traoré on assuming the confederal presidency. Closing and Acknowledgements The Heads of State agreed that the next AES summit would be held on a date to be determined through diplomatic channels. Presidents Traoré and Tiani expressed their deep gratitude to the Government and people of Mali for their hospitality and for the successful organization of the session. The Bamako summit reaffirmed the AES’s ambition to evolve toward a federative framework, anchored in sovereignty, solidarity, and shared prosperity for the peoples of the Sahel.