Parliament of the Sahel confederation kicks off in Niamey

Historic Session Launches in Niamey

Niamey is hosting the inaugural session of the Parliament of the Sahel Confederation (AES), marking a significant milestone for regional cooperation. The event, set to unfold at the Mahatma Gandhi Conference Centre, will see the official installation of 45 confederate deputies representing Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

Leadership and Vision

The opening ceremony was led by Ousmane Bougouma, President of Burkina Faso’s Legislative Assembly and Chair of the inaugural confederate parliamentary session. Addressing the assembled delegates, Burkinabè President Ibrahim Traoré, who currently holds the rotating presidency of the Sahel Confederation, underscored the need for deputies to prioritize the confederation’s collective interests over partisan or national agendas.

Delegation and Structure

The confederate Parliament comprises 45 deputies, with each member state—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—sending 15 representatives. The event drew the participation of high-profile figures, including Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, who stood in for the country’s president, alongside parliamentary officials from all three nations. Observers from the parliaments of Chad and Togo were also in attendance as special guests.

Agenda and Objectives

The week-long session, running from August 24 to 29, aims to lay the groundwork for enhanced parliamentary collaboration among the AES member states. This gathering follows the formal establishment of the Sahel Confederation in July 2024, a move that came after the trio of nations announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) earlier that year.

The Confederation seeks to deepen ties in critical areas such as defense, security, and socioeconomic development, fostering a united front to address shared challenges across the region.