Amanze Chinonye
Mali is urging the United Nations to take the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) into account in its approach to West Africa and the Sahel, arguing that the region’s political and security landscape has changed significantly since Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Prime Business Africa reports.
The request was made on Monday, August 17, 2026 during a meeting in Bamako between Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of State for Reconciliation, Peace and National Cohesion Ismaël Wagué and a senior UN delegation led by former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde.
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Zewde is overseeing an independent strategic review of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), as the United Nations considers how its regional mandate and working methods should respond to changing political and security conditions.
Mali wants the review to reflect the emergence of the AES and what its government describes as a new regional reality following the withdrawal of the three Sahelian states from ECOWAS.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger formed the Alliance of Sahel States in 2023 as a security pact before transforming it into the Confederation of Sahel States in 2024. Their withdrawal from ECOWAS took effect in January 2025 after years of strained relations over military rule, sanctions and regional security policy.
The split has reshaped West Africa’s political architecture, with the three AES governments pursuing closer political, security and economic cooperation while strengthening ties with Russia and reducing reliance on several Western partners.
Security featured prominently in the Bamako talks, with Malian officials highlighting the persistent threat posed by armed Islamist groups and raising concerns over what they described as external interference in the country’s security affairs.
The meeting also reflected Bamako’s broader effort to redefine its relationship with international partners. Diop and Wagué reiterated the government’s emphasis on greater national control over governance, development priorities and strategic affairs.
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On peace and reconciliation, the ministers presented Mali’s National Charter for Peace and Reconciliation as the basis for a new process after the government abandoned the framework established under the 2015 Algiers Agreement.
Mali also called for stronger coordination among UN agencies, funds and programmes operating in the country, saying a more coherent approach would improve the effectiveness of international assistance and align it more closely with national priorities.
The UNOWAS review comes as West Africa faces persistent jihadist violence and a broader realignment of political and security partnerships following the emergence of the AES and the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWAS.
For Bamako, securing a place for the AES in the UN’s regional assessment would strengthen its push for international engagement with the bloc as a distinct political and security actor in the Sahel.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
