Confederation of Sahel States Leaders Meet to Discuss Security and Regional Integration
Mali’s transitional leader, General Assimi Goïta, met with Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traoré in Ouagadougou on Thursday, November 5, 2026. The meeting focused on regional cooperation, development, and the fight against terrorism within the Confederation of Sahel States (AES). Both leaders are key figures in the AES, a political and security alliance formed by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The discussions, held at the Ouagadougou international airport, also covered African integration and the current international situation, according to a statement from the Burkinabè presidency. This meeting highlights the ongoing consolidation of the AES bloc, which aims to establish itself as a distinct geopolitical force in the Sahel region, seeking greater autonomy and coordinated security efforts.