DECLARATION OF THE COLLEGE OF HEADS OF STATE OF THE CONFEDERATION OF THE SAHEL STATES (AES)

Communique from the AES confederation denouncing the latest destabilizing plans of ECOWAS against the AES.

Out of concern for the defense of the dignity of their people and to preserve the integrity of their territory in the face of imperialist and neo-colonialist ambitions, their excellencies Capitain Ibrahim TRAORE, President of Faso, Head of State, Army General Assimi GOITA, President of the Transition, Head of State of Mali and Brigadier General Abdourahamane TIANI President of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland, Head of State of Niger, created the Alliance of Sahel States on September 16, 2023.

This new decisive impetus, driven by a common desire to access true sovereignty and to initiate a real dynamic of the peoples, was strengthened following the withdrawal of the three countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on January 28, 2024, and the creation of In Confederation of Sahel States (AES), on July 06, 2024.

The College of Heads of State of the AES Confederation notes that since the adoption of this new strategic posture driven by legitimate aspirations for freedom and peace, the French imperialist junta, feeling its interests threatened, supported by some Heads of State of the Sub-region, is desperately trying to put a stop to the emancipatory dynamic triggered by the AES.

By reiterating the irreversible and immediate nature of the withdrawal of the countries of the AES from ECOWAS, in its declaration of December 14, 2024, the College of Heads of State of the AES rightly considers the decision to extend for 6 months the withdrawal of Burkina, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS as yet another attempt that would allow the French junta and its proxies to continue planning and conducting destabilizing actions against the AES.

Instead of a concerted management between the AES and ECOWAS of the technical aspects related to the withdrawal with immediate effect, the College of Heads of State was surprised by this unilateral extension decision that cannot bind the countries of the AES.

The College of Heads of State notes with regret that within ECOWAS, destabilizing maneuvers are regularly initiated by a handful of Heads of State who impose their wishes and foreign agendas on the rest of the organization.

Obviously, these actions prove that the security issue that is successfully tackled by the AES countries in the sub-region and whose benefit benefits the entire region, is not a real concern for these actors acting on behalf of a master in distress.

Also, the College of Heads of State follows with great attention the deception maneuvers initiated by the French junta, under the pretext of closing its military bases in certain African countries, to replace them with a less visible device but pursuing the same neo-colonial ambition.

In addition to these activities, there are reorganization and grouping operations of terrorist groups in the Lake Chad Basin, in the Sahel and in certain border areas, namely: Niger-Nigeria: Niger-Benin: Niger-Burkina; Benin-Burkina. These receive various support from foreign states, in particular financial and logistical means to destabilize the AES.

Faced with the seriousness of these facts, the College of Heads of State of the Confederation:

1. Decides to put the defense and security forces on maximum alert;

2. Decides to make the confederal space a single theater of military operations, coexisting with the national military theaters in progress;

3. Calls on the people of the AES to redouble their vigilance; to systematically denounce any suspicious fact to the security forces; and to reject proposals for enlistment within terrorist groups.

The College of Heads of State reiterates its commitment to continue with determination the fight of the People of the AES for their true sovereignty and dignity.

Done in Bamako, December 22, 2024

Army General Assimi GOÏTA

President of the Transition

Head of State of the Republic of Mali

President of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES)