Mali’s Transitional President, Assimi Goïta, welcomed Burkinabe Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo to Bamako on Thursday, August 21, for discussions aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation and advancing the objectives of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).
The meeting, held at the Koulouba Palace and attended by Malian Prime Minister Major General Abdoulaye Maïga, focused on shared challenges facing the three-member confederation—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—and explored concrete measures to strengthen regional stability and development.
Speaking after the audience, Ouédraogo praised the hospitality of Malian authorities and conveyed greetings from Burkina Faso’s Transitional President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
“I received guidance that I describe as important for the conduct of my country’s government action, in a context of geopolitical recompositions,” he said.
The discussions highlighted the trajectory of the AES, established through the Liptako-Gourma Charter in September 2023 and formally constituted in July 2024 at the Niamey summit.
Covering roughly three million square kilometers with an estimated population of 80 million, the confederation has launched several joint initiatives.
These include the creation of a 5,000-strong joint military force with a headquarters currently under establishment, the Confederal Bank for Investment and Development to finance strategic infrastructure, and preparations for a common currency.
Work on a Confederal Parliament began with a preparatory meeting in Ouagadougou in August 2025.
Practical measures are already in place, including a common biometric passport adopted in January 2025, an official flag and anthem, abolished roaming charges between member states, and a 0.5% common customs tariff on imports from third countries.
The second AES Heads of State Summit, initially scheduled for earlier this year, has been postponed to December 2025.
Ouédraogo’s visit coincided with the second National Citizen Brigade Camp, organized by Mali’s Ministry of Youth and Sports. The two delegations held a joint working session addressing security, economic, and social issues, signalling continued commitment to regional integration and collaborative governance.
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