In Lomé, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, the Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop , spoke at the official launch of the Togolese Republic's new strategy for the Sahel. In a speech marked by fraternity and candor, he emphasized the relevance of the Togolese approach while reiterating the sovereign demands of the Confederation of Sahel States (CSA) .

A tribute to Togolese mediation

Minister Diop began his address by conveying General Assimi Goïta 's greetings to the Togolese authorities. He particularly praised President Faure Gnassingbé's personal commitment to regional peace.

According to him, Togo stands out for its consistent practice of dialogue, refusing to "demonize" countries in transition and prioritizing a real understanding of the challenges of the Sahel.

Inclusivity as a guarantee of success

Welcoming the "Togo-Sahel Strategy" initiative, Abdoulaye Diop emphasized the method chosen by Lomé: inclusivity .

"You can't shave someone's head in their absence," he reminded, congratulating Togo for directly involving the States concerned in the design of this plan.

The pillars of the Sahelian vision (AES)

The minister took advantage of this platform to reaffirm the doctrine of the AES Confederation (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger) based on the triptych: Defense, Diplomacy and Development .

1. A holistic approach

The crisis in the Sahel is not solely a security crisis. The minister reiterated that it is the consequence of external factors (notably the intervention in Libya) and that it must be addressed from all angles: humanitarian, economic, institutional and geostrategic.

2. Sovereignty at the heart of the partnership

Abdoulaye Diop has called on international partners for a paradigm shift:

1. Support without replacing: Interventions should support local government actions and not attempt to replace them.
2. End of dependency: Mali advocates endogenous cooperation mechanisms, financed and controlled by Africans.
3. Respect and Humility: He invited the international community to no longer treat the Sahel as a "patient at whose bedside one finds oneself", but as a partner with its own expertise.

The conditions for effective regional cooperation

While acknowledging that cooperation is essential, the minister laid down firm preconditions for restoring collective security in West Africa:

1. Restoring trust between neighboring states.
2. The cessation of support (direct or indirect) to terrorist groups or hostile foreign forces.
3. A common definition of terrorism , denouncing the ambiguity of certain regional and international actors.

Conclusion: A linked destiny

In conclusion, the minister reiterated Mali's support for "sincere" initiatives like Togo's. He urged better coordination of the various Sahel strategies to avoid fragmentation and ensure full alignment with the priorities of the Sahelian populations.

"Our destinies are linked," he concluded, recalling that solidarity remains the only viable path for the West African space.