On Saturday, July 6, 2024, the first summit of the Alliance of Sahel States will be held in Niamey, an organization that includes the three countries of the central Sahel: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The event, described as historic by the Nigerien military authorities, plans to lay the foundations of a confederation between these three countries. In the streets of Niamey, fervor was in full swing this Friday, July 5, to welcome the head of state of Burkina, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
2 min
Galvanized by numerous calls to demonstrate from civil society organizations and the government, the crowd was large this Friday afternoon in the streets of Niamey.
From the Place de l’Escadrille to the airport, the roar of vuvuzelas and the cheers of the marchers gave the welcome of the President of Burkina Faso a festive feel. As with very large events, buses had been chartered especially for the occasion.
Hassane Souley Kadri, general secretary of a student union, wanted to be at the front of the demonstration to see the different delegations. The reason for our presence here is to show our commitment to the ideals that these three heads of state – namely Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Colonel Assimi Goïta and General Abdourahmane Tiani – have been defending since they took power in their respective countries. These heads of state have now become icons and idols for us, the younger generations. Our intention is to ensure that our states are definitively sovereign. »
Read alsoAES Summit: “The door is not closed” to the return of Mali, Niger and Burkina to ECOWAS
The same speeches of sovereignty are used throughout the procession. They recall those hammered out for many months by the leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Faced with insecurity, these three countries will formalize this Saturday the confederation of Sahel States, according to a press release from the Malian presidency.
Issues of diplomacy, economic integration and development will also be discussed. A way for these three countries to join forces to try to overcome “ the major common challenges » they face.
Read alsoThe Alliance of Sahel States will hold its first summit on July 6 in Niamey