Two years of AES: sovereignty rhetoric vs. ground realities in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger
Two years after the formation of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, Captain Ibrahim Traoré and other leaders frame the alliance as a strategic triumph rooted in sovereignty, mutual solidarity, and enhanced regional cooperation. This narrative resonates with a significant segment of public opinion, yet it struggles to gain universal acceptance among those demanding tangible progress.
The AES leadership asserts that the Confederation has achieved noteworthy advancements across diplomatic, military, and institutional fronts. However, on the ground, the fundamental challenges that prompted the alliance’s inception remain largely unresolved.
The emphasis on sovereignty has emerged as a defining political theme for AES authorities. Yet sovereignty extends...
