The leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have officially launched a joint television channel for the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), Mali’s state-run newspaper L’Essor reported.
The launch took place during the second AES summit, which opened on December 22. The meeting is expected to end with the adoption of a joint final communiqué and the announcement of a new rotating chair of the confederation. Mali’s President Assimi Goïta held the position in 2025.
Presidents Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, Assimi Goïta of Mali and Abdourahamane Tchiani of Niger appeared in the channel’s first broadcast. The programme featured the AES national anthem as well as reports examining the role of television in promoting patriotism among Sahelian youth and the importance of information and communication in reinforcing the bloc’s sovereignty.
The ceremony was attended by Mali’s Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga, the president of the National Transitional Council and the AES ministers responsible for communication. The channel’s television studio is located in Bamako, near the international airport.
The Confederation of Sahel States traces its roots to the Alliance of Sahel States, formed in 2023 to strengthen collective defence. In January 2024, the three countries announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), accusing the regional bloc of failing to support their fight against terrorism and ensure territorial security.
At their first summit of heads of state in July 2024, the three nations agreed to transform the alliance into the Confederation of Sahel States.
Written by Oral Ofori
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
