Niger hosts inaugural AES Parliament session in Niamey

Niamey, Niger – A new chapter in regional governance began this Monday with the official opening of the first session of the Parliament of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES). The historic event in Niamey saw the formal installation of 45 confederal deputies, representing the member nations of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

The inaugural ceremony was held at the Mahatma Gandhi Conference Centre. Guiding the proceedings was Ousmane Bougouma, who, in his capacity as President of the Legislative Assembly of the People of Burkina Faso, presided over this foundational parliamentary session for the Confederation.

During the session, Burkinabè President Ibrahim Traoré, who holds the current presidency of the Confederation of Sahel States, delivered a compelling address. He called upon the newly installed deputies to prioritize the collective interests of the Confederation above any individual partisan agendas or national considerations, emphasizing a unified vision for the region.

The confederal Parliament is structured with 45 deputies in total, with each of the three member countries contributing 15 representatives. Among the distinguished attendees were Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, present as the representative for the Nigerien President, alongside other prominent leaders from the parliamentary institutions of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

Further highlighting regional solidarity, parliamentary representatives from Chad and Togo participated as invited guests. This crucial first session, taking place in Niamey from August 24 to 29, is designed to lay a solid foundation for enhanced parliamentary cooperation and collaboration among the three AES member nations.

The Confederation of Sahel States was formally established in July 2024 by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, following their decision in January of the same year to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The Confederation’s core mission is to strengthen cooperation among these nations in vital areas such as defense, security, and sustainable development, directly impacting pressing Faso current affairs and future stability.