First session of the AES parliament convenes in Niamey, marking a new era for Sahel states

The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) Parliament has commenced its historic first session in Niamey, Niger. This pivotal event on Monday saw the official installation of 45 confederal deputies, with 15 representatives each from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, signaling a new chapter for political Sahel cooperation.

The solemn ceremony unfolded at the esteemed Mahatma Gandhi Conference Center. Presiding over this inaugural parliamentary gathering was Ousmane Bougouma, who serves as the President of the Legislative Assembly of the People of Burkina Faso and concurrently held the presidency for this significant confederal session.

During the proceedings, Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré, who currently holds the rotating presidency of the Confederation of Sahel States, delivered a compelling address. He urged the newly installed deputies to prioritize the collective interest of the Confederation, emphasizing its importance over individual partisan agendas or national concerns.

The confederal Parliament is composed of 45 members, with each of the three member states contributing 15 representatives. Dignitaries present included Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, who attended on behalf of the Nigerien President, alongside leading figures from the parliamentary institutions of all three participating nations.

Notably, representatives from the Chadian and Togolese parliaments were also present, participating as invited guests. This foundational session, scheduled to run from August 24 to 29 in Niamey, is designed to establish a robust framework for enhanced parliamentary cooperation among the three AES member countries.

The Confederation of Sahel States was formally established in July 2024 by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. This formation followed their joint announcement in January of the same year regarding their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), marking a significant shift in West Africa Sahel news.

The core objectives of the Confederation include significantly strengthening cooperation among these three nations, particularly across critical sectors such as defense, security, and sustainable development, vital for the future of the Sahel region.