The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) is advancing its institutional framework. In Ouagadougou, parliamentary leaders from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger met with the Confederation’s president, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, to receive guidance ahead of the official inauguration of the confederal parliament.

Following the meeting, officials confirmed that the selection of deputies is imminent, paving the way for the assembly’s first session. The confederal parliament’s responsibilities will include representing the populations of the three nations, supporting the AES’s institutional actions, and reinforcing the political vision championed by the region’s leadership.

This milestone marks another step in the Sahel States Alliance’s institutional development, as it moves toward establishing its own governance structures after withdrawing from ECOWAS.

Security concerns overshadow political progress

The gathering comes at a critical juncture, as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger face an escalating jihadist threat. Recent weeks have seen an unprecedented surge in attacks, inflicting heavy losses on both defense forces and civilian communities. Critics argue that prioritizing parliament formation over urgent security measures raises questions about the alliance’s immediate priorities.

While acknowledging the long-term benefits of a unified parliament, some observers highlight the potential misalignment between political initiatives and the pressing needs of affected populations. The absence of high-level meetings specifically addressing the worsening security crisis has fueled skepticism about whether the AES’s leadership is sufficiently focused on the most immediate threats.

Regional implications of the AES’s institutional shift

Beyond its internal structure, the AES’s push for self-governance is seen by analysts as a sign of growing political divergence in West Africa. By developing independent institutions, the alliance is asserting its autonomy from ECOWAS, a move that could deepen the divide between the two regional blocs and complicate broader cooperation on security and governance.