Ouagadougou:Dr. Ambogou Paul Oula, a lecturer from Kurukanfuga University in Bamako, highlighted the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) as a model for achieving the United States of Africa, a vision championed by Senegalese intellectual Cheikh Anta Diop. This discussion took place during an international symposium in Ouagadougou focused on sovereignty, cultural heritage, and Diop's pan-African ideals.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Dr. Oula elaborated on the alignment between Diop's vision of political, economic, and cultural unity across Africa and the AES's objectives. He emphasized that true sovereignty for Africa hinges on deeper integration among its states, referencing Diop's pillars of African unity, economic and cultural foundations, solidarity, and strategic autonomy.
The AES, comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, prioritizes collective sovereignty and aims to defend Sahelian interests, enhance security cooperation, and foster joint economic and cultural initiatives. Dr. Oula also noted the AES's focus on developing an autonomous military capacity and diplomatic coordination, echoing Diop's aspirations.
On the economic front, Dr. Oula linked Diop's advocacy for an African economy independent of external influences to AES's efforts in promoting sovereign development through the Confederal Bank for Investment and Development. The Niamey Declaration of 2024 reflects the AES's commitment to economic and social policies leveraging member states' resources.
Cultural promotion is another area of convergence, with initiatives like the Farafina Institute of Black Peoples illustrating this shared vision. Dr. Oula sees the establishment of a common currency as crucial for deepening integration and achieving Diop's federal ideal, contingent on addressing regional insecurity to bolster the confederation's credibility.
He also called for the involvement of academics and intellectuals in fostering a shared identity among the populations of the three countries. Dr. Oula noted that despite initial reservations, particularly from ECOWAS, the ongoing mobility within the AES area signifies progress in integration.
Dr. Oula concluded that strengthening security, economic, and institutional frameworks could position AES as a blueprint for a future federation aligned with Diop's pan-African ideals. The symposium continues until October 15, 2026, under the theme "Sovereignty cultural heritage and vision of Cheikh Anta Diop".