CSS Kicks Off the First Edition of Sahel States Games in Bamako, Mali

The first edition of the Sahel States Alliance Games (JAES) opened on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Bamako, Mali. This event marked a historic milestone for the Confederation of Sahel States (CSS). The opening ceremony was held at the Salamatou Maïga Sports Palace and presided over by Mali’s Prime Minister, Major General Abdoulaye Maïga.

The games reportedly brought together athletes from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger- member states of the AES – for competitions in ten sporting disciplines. The event is designed to encourage regional integration among the people of the Sahel, in line with the vision of the CSS founding leaders: General Assimi Goïta of Mali, Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, and General Abdourahamane Tchiani of Niger.

In his address, Prime Minister Maïga said the games symbolise a shared determination to build a stronger, more integrated Sahel.

We are writing a page of our shared history for the Sahel by launching the Games of the Alliance of Sahel States. History will remember that it was here, in Bamako, that the first [CSS] Games were held, he said.

The event featured a symbolic oath-taking by athletes, coaches, and referees to uphold the values of integrity, fairness, and sportsmanship. The opening ceremony also included cultural and artistic performances centred on discipline, resilience, and climate change themes.

The Confederation also unveiled three official ambassadors for the games: Cheick Ahmed Al-Hassan Sanou, popularly known as Iron Biby (Burkina Faso); Olympic medallist Abdoulrazak Issoufou Alfaga (Niger); and world taekwondo champion Daba Modibo Keïta (Mali).

Several senior officials attended the ceremony, including members of the Malian government, the President of the Council of Local Authorities, and members of the National Transitional Council.

The JAES is expected to continue over the coming days, with competitions occurring across various Bamako venues.

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