Burkina faso: The People's Legislative Assembly (ALP) gave its approval on Tuesday in Ouagadougou for the ratification of four additional protocols of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) relating to the coordination of diplomatic action, development, defense and security and parliamentary sessions.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs, Karamogo Jean Marie TraorE, stated that these instruments aim to improve the management, consultation, communication, and organization of several actions at the Confederation of Sahel States level. The Burkinabe foreign minister elaborated that the ratification will enable member countries of the ESA, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, to harmonize their diplomatic positions on major issues impacting the life and stability of the confederation.
Mr. TraorE further explained that this coordination will extend to applications and positions in international bodies, as well as responses to acts of aggression against the Confederation. He highlighted that a platform for exchanges already exists among foreign ministers to promote consultation and the adoption of harmonized positions.
The minister also discussed the development pillar, underscored by the creation of the Confederation's Investment Bank, aimed at financing major projects. He mentioned the ongoing transformation of the Liptako-Gourma Authority into a technical implementation body responsible for monitoring and executing confederation projects.
On the defense front, Mr. TraorE recalled the plan to establish a unified force for the Confederation, with its headquarters already based in Niamey, Niger. For the minister, the additional protocol specifies the consultation procedures between member states and the instruments necessary to ensure effective monitoring and management of the Confederation's joint actions.
As a reminder, on July 6, 2024, the Republic of Mali, the Republic of Niger, and Burkina Faso established the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), with the aim of pooling their efforts to address common challenges in the areas of peace, stability, diplomacy, and economic emergence. The creation of this entity was formalized legally by the signing of the Treaty establishing the Confederation of Sahel States by the Heads of State of the three aforementioned countries.
In accordance with Article 4 of the Treaty, an Additional Protocol specifies, for each of the areas of defense and security, diplomacy, and development, the powers falling under the jurisdiction of the confederation level. Furthermore, regarding the organization of the Confederation, Article 6 of the Treaty establishes three bodies, including "the Confederal Sessions of the Parliaments."
To clarify the modalities of the coordination of diplomatic action, development actions, defense, and security of the Confederation and to best determine the organization and functioning of the body called "Confederal Sessions of Parliaments," the Member States signed, on December 23, 2025, in Bamako, the four Additional Protocols to the Treaty establishing the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) submitted to the examination of the People's Legislative Assembly (ALP).
In accordance with the Treaty establishing the Confederation of Sahel States, the Additional Protocols require ratification by all member states of the Confederation for their entry into force.