The f犀利士 oreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have recommended the formation of a confederation as part of their long-term objective to unify these West African nations within a federation.
Gathering in Bamako for a two-day meeting, the top diplomats of the Alliance of Sahel States engaged in discussions aimed at outlining the operational framework of this new alliance. They emphasized the pivotal role of diplomacy, defense, and development in solidifying political and economic integration among the countries.
Abdoulaye Diop, Mali’s Foreign Minister, confirmed that these recommendations would be presented to each respective head of state during an upcoming meeting in Bamako, the date for which remains unspecified.
Additionally, the countries’ economy and finance ministers convened in late November, proposing the establishment of a stabilisation fund, an investment bank, and a committee tasked with studying an economic and monetary union.
This push for increased collaboration follows the signing of a mutual defense pact by the military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in mid-September. The accord, known as the Liptako-Gourma Charter, led to the establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), named after the historical region it represents.
