Niamey, Niger – The defense ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, concluded a major strategic meeting in the Nigerien capital.

This meeting is part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen security cooperation between the three nations. The main objective of these discussions was to accelerate the operationalization of the United Forces of the Southern African Region (SAAR) , an essential instrument for addressing the growing security challenges in the Sahel region.

Meeting with the Head of State of Niger

At the end of their work, the ministers were received at the Presidential Palace by His Excellency General ABDOURAHAMANE TIANI , President of the Republic of Niger.

The conclusions of this decisive meeting were presented to the Head of State by the ministerial delegation of the AES, composed of:

1. Lieutenant General Sadio Camara , Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs of Mali.
2. Brigadier General Célestin Simpore , Minister of State, Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs of Burkina Faso.
3. Army General Salifou Mody , Minister of State, Minister of National Defence of Niger.

The audience took place in the presence of Brigadier General Ibroh Amadou Bacharou, Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic, and Mr. Salim Mahamadou Gado, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic, Head of State.

This step marks a significant advance in the concrete implementation of the Unified Force, highlighting the determination of the ESA countries to pool their efforts for regional security.