AES Ministers Conclude Roadmap Talks in Ouagadougou, Strengthen Security Coordination

Ministers of the Confederation of Sahel States have concluded high level discussions in Ouagadougou aimed at reinforcing regional security cooperation among member countries.

The meeting, held on February 26, 2026 in the Burkinabe capital, brought together delegations from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to finalize preparatory work on the Year Two Roadmap of the Alliance of Sahel States. The document was reviewed, amended and validated before being forwarded to the College of Heads of State for formal adoption.

Officials described the session as a strategic step in consolidating coordination across the three pillars of the confederation, with particular emphasis on defense and security cooperation. The discussions come at a time of continued instability in parts of the Sahel, where armed groups remain active across porous borders.

During the meeting, ministers strongly condemned what they described as recent attempts to destabilize member states. They referenced a foiled plot in Burkina Faso on January 3, 2026, as well as the attack targeting Air Base 101 and Niamey Airport in Niger. Authorities in the affected countries have previously stated that security forces were able to contain the situations.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to collective security mechanisms and intelligence sharing among the three countries. They also reiterated support for joint operations and coordinated responses to emerging threats within the confederation’s territory.

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The ministers commended the leadership of Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré, Mali’s transitional leader Assimi Goïta and Niger’s Head of State Abdourahmane Tiani, describing their collaboration as central to the consolidation of the alliance. Tribute was also paid to the defense and security forces of the three countries for their continued engagement on the front lines.

The Alliance of Sahel States was established to formalize security cooperation and deepen political integration among the three military led governments following their withdrawal from regional blocs. Since its formation, the confederation has prioritized joint defense initiatives and a shared diplomatic posture.

With the Year Two Roadmap now validated at ministerial level, the next step will be its formal consideration and adoption by the heads of state. Officials say the document outlines measures intended to further strengthen operational coordination and address regional security challenges collectively.

The Ouagadougou meeting signals continued momentum within the confederation as member states seek to institutionalize their cooperation framework amid ongoing regional pressures.

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