Several ministers from the three countries integrated within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) were in Ouagadougou this Thursday, February 15. A meeting just weeks after Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS. An irrevocable decision, the ministers reiterated. The three Sahelian states led by soldiers now wanted to form a confederation.
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With this meeting at Burkina Faso, the three Sahelian countries are taking another step towards establishing the confederation they want to create. ” Ouagadougou today offers us the opportunity to take another step forward in the continued establishment of our accession tools, mechanisms and processes, as well as in the legal architecture of the union envisioned by our three states. “, declared the Burkinabe Defense Minister, General Kassom Coulibaly.
“Historical Contexts Specific to the Peoples of the Sahel »
With him, the Burkinabe, Malian and Nigerian Cabinets were present. ” This mechanism will allow our association and union to function effectively and to the great enjoyment of our population. », supported his Nigerian counterpart, General Salifou Modi. The confederation project was discussed during a meeting of foreign ministers of the three countries in early December in Bamako. On Sunday, in an interview on national television, the head of the Nigerian CNSP, General Tianyi, also mentioned the possible creation of a common currency.
The ministers did not amend the Sahel states’ charter of association but agreed that a future treaty regarding the formation of the union would take into account their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS. “ With regard to the Treaty establishing the Confederation, the Union of the Sahel States, the Ministers noted the need to base the Confederation Treaty on the historical context specific to the people of the Sahel. », announced the head of Burkinabé diplomacy, Karamoko Jean-Marie Trauer. “ The Ministers urged the Foreign Ministers to continue their reflection on the Treaty with a view to revising it before the opening session of the Summit of Heads of State. “, he added.
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The MaliBurkina Faso and Niger A few weeks ago announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS. Today, in Ouagadougou, the ministers affirmed: This decision is irreversible and irreversible because the regional organization, in their opinion, has deviated from its main objective of serving the people.
For his part, the Nigerian Defense Minister once again condemned the sanctions imposed by Nigerians. Ecowas In his country after the coup of July 26. Ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States condemned what they believed to be ” Unfounded seizure of Niger’s financial assets by UEMOA » By the Central Bank of West African States. ” The AES Ministers demand the immediate removal of this unique measure which only aims to unjustly punish people whose only wrong is the desire to fully enjoy their sovereignty and control their destiny. », added the head of Malian diplomacy, Abdoulaye Diop.
“AES is not a credible alternative to ECOWAS »
In any case, this idea of union is not universal in the Sahel. Ismail Sacco, a member of the February 20 protest forum appeal, which brings together political parties and civil society organizations and demands a return to the constitutional system, AES is the solution for Sahelian military rule, but not for the population. ” The composition of this body was not decided in a referendum and the population was not involved. AES is not a credible alternative to ECOWAS », judges the president of the African Social Democratic Party (PSDA), targeted by the dissolution process initiated by the Malian authorities.
Countries that have rebelled need to help each other and they will create the necessary legal framework in this sense.
Ismail Sako, member of the protest forum “February 20 Appeal”
