AES: President of the Confederation Opens First Confederal Session of the Council of Ministers in Bamako

Bamako, December 20, 2025 - The Koulouba Palace on Saturday hosted the opening of the first confederal session of the Council of Ministers of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), a landmark moment in the institutional construction of the new regional bloc. The session was chaired by His Excellency General Assimi Goïta, President of the Transition of Mali, Head of State, and President of the AES Confederation, and brought together government ministers from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

In his opening address, President Assimi Goïta described the meeting as an “inaugural and preparatory” session, laying the groundwork for the second session of the College of Heads of State, scheduled to take place in Bamako on December 22 and 23, 2025. He recalled that the Confederal Council of Ministers, established under Article 12 of the Constitutive Treaty signed in Niamey on July 6, 2024, represents one of the three pillars of confederal governance, alongside the College of Heads of State and the future Confederal Parliament.

This first confederal session is tasked with examining a series of strategic and foundational documents. Among the key items on the agenda are the progress report on the implementation of the first-year roadmap, the draft additional protocols in the areas of defense, diplomacy, and development, as well as the rules governing the functioning and sessions of the future Confederal Parliament. Once adopted, these instruments are expected to complete the institutional architecture of the AES and ensure its effective operationalization.

Addressing the broader vision of the Confederation, General Assimi Goïta reaffirmed that the AES is intended to serve as a framework for “emancipation, freedom, and true independence”, rooted in the resources, capacities, and ingenuity of the Sahelian peoples. He stressed that the three member states had made a sovereign and deliberate choice to unite their efforts in order to build a stable, secure, and peaceful regional space, capable of fostering development and the full flourishing of their populations.

“Our three states have made the sovereign choice to join forces to build a stable and peaceful space, conducive to the development and full flourishing of our people,” the President declared, while calling for pragmatic, coordinated, and strengthened cooperation in response to the security, economic, and geopolitical challenges confronting the region.

The President of the Confederation also strongly criticized what he described as “economic and media terrorism” allegedly exercised by certain international actors, which he said aim to undermine the popular support enjoyed by the AES. According to him, these pressures have instead reinforced the determination of the Confederation to continue along its sovereign path on the African and international stage.

Paying tribute to the defense and security forces of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, President Goïta praised their commitment and sacrifices in safeguarding national territories, often “at the risk of their lives.” He also commended the populations of the AES, whom he described as the true source of the Confederation’s legitimacy, for their resilience and steadfast support.

Looking beyond the immediate Sahelian context, the President broadened his message to West Africa as a whole, emphasizing the region’s shared history, culture, and geography. “Our peoples are naturally called upon to live together, in mutual respect, solidarity, and fraternity,” he concluded, reaffirming the AES’s stated ambition to promote regional cohesion, stability, and cooperation beyond its current membership.

Conclusion: Toward Sovereign Integration and Sustainable Resilience

The period from December 7 to 21, 2025, marks a decisive phase in Niger’s "Refounding of the Republic," characterized by a robust assertion of sovereign authority and a deepening of regional integration.

Regional Security and Sovereignty: The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) demonstrated a unified front in response to unauthorized airspace incursions, placing defenses on maximum alert to safeguard territorial integrity. This was further reinforced by high-level confederal meetings in Bamako aimed at operationalizing the AES and finalizing joint protocols for defense and diplomacy.

Economic Transformation: A clear shift toward economic sovereignty is evident through the launch of the first ESA Trade Fair and initiatives like the Faireniger brand, which promotes local consumption ("Buy Nigerien"). The mobilization of private investment through ANPIPS and the progress toward a confederal development bank (BCID-CSA) highlight a strategic drive to reduce external dependence and finance structural infrastructure.

Social and Institutional Progress: Significant strides were made in internal governance, from the renewal of traditional leadership structures (ACTN) to the implementation of community policing. Furthermore, international partnerships-ranging from health cooperation with China to strategic infrastructure loans from BOAD-continue to support national development goals.

Stability and Market Resilience: Despite regional challenges, domestic markets showed resilience with abundant fresh produce and a moderate decline in cereal prices, reflecting the effectiveness of public regulation and favorable agricultural prospects for the coming season.

In summary, the report reflects a nation and a region increasingly focused on strategic autonomy. By harmonizing judicial, economic, and security frameworks with its Sahelian partners, Niger is positioning itself to effectively address modern geopolitical challenges while fostering a "stable and peaceful space" conducive to the long-term flourishing of its people.