The foreign affairs ministers of the Sahel States Alliance (AES) stayed from June 26 to 30, 2024 in Belgium, as part of the Crans Montana Forum which brings together world leaders each year to discuss major issues and concerns of the world.A platform used by the AES delegation to bring the right information to international opinion, in a context of manipulation of the masses.Chaired by the President of the Comoros Islands Azali Assoumani, the 2024 edition of the Crans Montana forum, whose central theme is 'faced with multiple crises, the world in search of its future', could not fit better with the current challenges of the populations of the AES area.Hence the effective presence of the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso and Mali, as well as the Niger ambassador in Brussels, representing his minister.The forum has planned a panel dedicated to the AES States, and co-hosted by the ministers of foreign affairs, Karamoko Jean-Marie TRAORE, Abdoulaye DIOP and the Nigerien ambassador Alhassane IDE.'We are here to explain and not to justify ourselves. We only owe the justifications to our populations,' Minister DIOP insisted at the outset.He goes on to say that the AES states are not anti-democrats.'Democracy can only exist in a state. And we no longer had a state. Our concern is to rebuild our States, and our interlocutors are preparing elections. We couldn't understand each other,' he said.The head of Burkinabe diplomacy also worked to explain the logic which led to the birth of the AES.'For a long time, the Sahel States have cried out. They were not heard. When they were heard, the responses given were very inappropriate. Our States ended up understanding that remaining in this space was equivalent to accepting disappearance. The three countries also understood, following their call for help which remained unheeded, that they had to organize themselves to take care of themselves,' suggested the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso.On the sidelines of the forum, the AES delegation also met wi th the African Group of Ambassadors (GAAB) in Brussels.This group exists to allow diplomats to exchange, share and agree on issues of common interest.'We have come to give you the keys to understanding what is happening in the Sahel region,' introduced SEM Abdoulaye DIOP, Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs.'You are safe relays here in your jurisdictions but also in your countries. Too many things are said. And we are witnessing a misleading media campaign whose destiny is to pollute international opinion. The latest relates to the pseudo-mutiny and the imaginary flight of the President of Faso. A crude setup that foreign powers created in the belief that it would destabilize us. Know that it was only a web of lies' explained SEM Karamoko Jean Marie TRAORE.In addition to this meeting, the head of Burkinabe diplomacy had an audience diary provided.He was received in audience by the Minister of State and Honorary President of the Belgian Parliament, André FLAHAUT, a man of experience and knowledgeable about socio-political and security issues in the Sahel region.'I saw in him someone who has a very high sense of listening, a man who is concerned about the situation in Burkina, and whose wish is to see things evolve positively,' summarizes Minister TRAORE in term of trade.Also, the Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs had fruitful exchanges respectively with Emanuela DEL RE Special Representative of the European Union for the Sahel and Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the OE-ACP for cooperation with Asia.Minister TRAORE's stay was finally marked by two meetings he had with the staff of the Burkina Faso embassy in Brussels, and the Burkinabè community of the jurisdiction.At the center of concerns during discussions with embassy staff, the security situation in Burkina Faso, as well as the challenges to be met within the framework of the missions assigned to the Diplomatic Representation of Burkina Faso.The minister sent his appreciation and congratulations, as well as those of the governm ent, to all members of the embassy staff, who give the best of themselves despite often difficult conditions.With members of the Burkinabè community in the jurisdiction of Belgium, the Minister in charge of Burkinabè Abroad, focused his remarks on the security situation through the reassuring news that he gave them.'Recently, the diaspora has been the victim of media pollution because it is they who were the target. We took the opportunity to provide the right information and also thank the diaspora for all the patriotic support they provide, and tell them that we always welcome any contribution from them. The contribution is not always cash. The diaspora is expected in the field of awareness, information, to help fight against any source of media pollution,' launched HE Karamoko Jean Marie TRAORE to his compatriots.Source: Burkina Information Agency