The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) has expressed readiness to expand its membership to other African countries—but only under strict conditions. Speaking at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum over the weekend, Niger’s Foreign Minister, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, said the Confederation was not created to remain exclusive to Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. However, he emphasized the need for strong guarantees to prevent infiltration by regimes viewed as hostile.
Sangaré clarified that any decision to accept new members would require consensus among the three founding countries. He also distinguished between opposition to African regimes and African peoples, stating, “We are not afraid of African countries. We are afraid of African regimes.”
Formally established in July 2024, the AES is built on four pillars: national sovereignty, respect for the dignity of peoples, prioritizing local interests, and respectful international cooperation.
As diplomatic and economic ties deepen between AES and other African states, interest in the Confederation’s model continues to grow—challenging the role of traditional pan-African institutions.
© WAVN