Ouagadougou: The President of the National Commission of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) of Burkina Faso, Bassolma Bazi, held a conference on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in Niamey, on the theme: "The battle for the conquest of sovereignty in the context of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES): historical and prospective view", for the people of Niger.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Bassolma Bazi emphasized that sovereignty is a struggle that requires fight, sacrifice, and commitment. He highlighted the suffering endured by Africans, particularly the populations of the AES countries, under the domination and influence of Western powers.
The president of Burkina Faso's National Economic and Social Affairs Commission underlined the unity and solidarity between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. He urged these nations to support each other in all circumstances, emphasizing the resources available to the three countries, the mobilization of their populations in support of their leaders, and the sacrifices made by the Defense and Security Forces to ensure their sovereignty and security.
Bazi stressed the need to translate sovereignty into tangible improvements in the daily lives of the population. He called for strengthening hospitals, access to healthcare, medical personnel, and health infrastructure. He also highlighted the importance of education and job creation as pivotal areas for achieving sovereignty.
Panelist Nouhou Arzika, advisor to the Advisory Council for the Refoundation of Niger, recounted the decisive events of July 26, 2023, in Niger. He noted the role of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) in bringing relief to a challenging situation. He praised the solidarity shown by Mali and Burkina Faso and the resilience of the Nigerien people amid ECOWAS-imposed sanctions. He also mentioned the withdrawal of foreign forces from Niger, describing it as a historic moment.
Arzika detailed the motivations of the three heads of state that led to the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States, as well as their vision to strengthen this organization.
Ambassador Illo Adani, the conference moderator, recalled that the quest for sovereignty has been a constant demand of African peoples since independence, particularly within the ESA countries. He outlined several stages in this quest, including the efforts of Patrice Lumumba and Thomas Sankara, coups d'©tat, and national conferences. According to him, the processes initiated in Mali in 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023 represent a crucial step.
Adani emphasized that this dynamic, driven by patriotic, sovereignist, and pan-Africanist military regimes, was strengthened with the creation of the AES and the signing of the treaty establishing the Confederation of Sahel States on July 6, 2024, in Niamey.
The meeting, held at the Palais des Congr¨s, aimed to provide insights into the driving forces, nature, originality, and challenges of the sovereignty dynamic promoted by the Confederation. It also explored its impact on Pan-Africanism, the fight against imperialism, and the lessons for Africa.
At the end of the presentations, several questions and recommendations were addressed to the organizers, who assured attendees that they would consider them carefully.