Ouagadougou: The Minister of Territorial Administration and Mobility of Burkina Faso, mile Zerbo, inaugurated a significant meeting in Ouagadougou on behalf of Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Oudraogo. The agenda included the validation and adoption of the Additional Protocol on cross-border cooperation and the Decision to establish a consultation framework for the administrative authorities of the border regions of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Prime Minister's speech, delivered by mile Zerbo, extended a warm welcome to delegations from Mali and Niger in the Burkinabe capital. He emphasized that this strategic meeting aligns with a shared vision advocated by President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traor, Mali's President of the Transition, General Assimi Gota, and Niger's President, General Abdourahamane Tiani.
The Prime Minister noted that the two legal instruments under review establish a vital confederal mechanism. This framework will enable governors of border regions to exchange information, coordinate, and pool resources to tackle shared challenges, which include combating terrorism and cross-border crime, managing shared natural resources, and promoting trade. He encouraged governors to utilize this tool for effective local governance.
Brigadier General Issa Ousmane Coulibaly, representing the Malian delegation and serving as the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization of Mali, conveyed greetings from Mali's top authorities. He highlighted the transformation of borders from mere separations to areas conducive to living, exchange, solidarity, and development.
The Malian Minister explained that the consultation framework will provide local authorities with means to anticipate crises, promote free movement, and bolster state presence in border areas.
From Niger, Secretary General Ayouba Abdouramane delivered a message on behalf of the Minister of the Interior, Public Security and Territorial Administration. The message reaffirmed the commitment of the three nations to transform the confederal space into a region of peace and prosperity. He noted that security and environmental challenges require cooperative efforts, and the adoption of these texts strengthens the legal framework of AES, sending a clear message to criminal groups.
The meeting is scheduled for September 15 to 16, 2026, and aims to conclude with the formal adoption of draft texts and the initiation of the first session of the cross-border consultation framework between the governors of the Confederation of Sahel States.