The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has taken a historic step in its security integration strategy. On Saturday, December 20, 2025 , General Assimi Goïta, the current president of the Confederation, presided over the official activation ceremony of the AES Unified Force (FU-AES) in Mali.

A single command for common security

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the flag to the new commander of this force, Brigadier General Daouda Traoré . This symbolic gesture marks the operational start of a coalition army comprising contingents from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger .

The Malian head of state took the opportunity to:

1. Praised the commitment and courage of the Sahelian defense forces.
2. To officially install the FU-AES command.
3. Remember that this union is the result of the Niamey Declaration of July 6, 2024.

Concrete results on the ground

Even before this official announcement, military cooperation between the three countries was already bearing fruit. General Goïta cited the joint operations Yéréko I and Yéréko II as examples. These missions achieved decisive results thanks to the pooling of intelligence and resources.

1. Neutralization of several high-ranking terrorist leaders.
2. Destruction of strategic criminal sanctuaries.

"The evolving methods of operation of terrorist groups require constant adaptation and permanent anticipation," General Goïta stressed, entrusting the new command with the mission of staying one step ahead of the enemy.

Beyond the military: Information sovereignty

The AES is not limited to the battlefield. In a desire to break completely with external influences, the Alliance announced the launch of its own communication channels: AES Television, Radio and print media .

Assimi Goïta's stated objective is clear: to guarantee the informational sovereignty of the three states and to effectively counter disinformation.

A united bloc outside of ECOWAS

This strengthening of the FU-AES confirms the determination of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to secure their own future. As a reminder, these three countries, led by transitional authorities, left ECOWAS more than a year ago, now prioritizing regional integration based on security and mutual assistance.