AES and Russia hold second diplomatic consultations session in Niamey
via Lefaso.net1 min read
Foreign ministers from the Confederation of Sahel States AES and the Russian Federation are meeting today, July 8, 2026, in Niamey for the second session of their diplomatic consultations. Ahead of this meeting, experts and the diplomatic team from the confederation reviewed draft working documents aimed at strengthening the institutional cooperation framework between the two parties. The preparatory meeting, chaired by Burkina Faso's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, allowed AES country representatives to propose amendments to the texts that will be submitted for signing with Russia. This session follows the first meeting held in Moscow in 2025 and seeks to consolidate political and diplomatic dialogue between the Sahelian Confederation and the Russian Federation.
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Must ReadBurkina Faso's People's Legislative Assembly ALP in Ouagadougou on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, examined three draft laws from the Burkinabe government. Among these were proposals for the creation of the confederal radio station "Daandè Liptako" and the Confederation of Sahel States television channel, "Tafouk TV." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso reported that a government delegation, led by the Minister of Communication, Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo, and the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bêbgnasgnan Stella Eldine Kabré/Kaboré, presented these drafts. The objective is to secure authorization for the ratification of agreements previously signed by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The agreement for "Daandè Liptako" radio was signed on November 26, 2025, in Ouagadougou, while the "Tafouk TV" agreement was concluded on December 21, 2025, in Bamako. The Minister of Communication informed the Commission for Legal Affairs, Defense, and Security CAEDS that ratifying these agreements is crucial for establishing the necessary legal framework for the operationalization of these two confederal media outlets. He stated that these platforms aim to enhance communication within the AES space, promote indigenous values, and combat disinformation.
Must ReadThe West African Monetary Union's banking commission supervision college has imposed disciplinary and financial sanctions on several credit institutions. During its 152nd session on March 17 and 18, 2026, the college issued a reprimand and a 300 million CFA francs fine to three banks operating in Togo, Niger, and Mali. These banks were found to have violated legal and regulatory provisions, with recurring deficiencies in governance and risk management. The Togolese bank also faced issues with prudential standards and anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures. The Nigerian and Malian banks similarly showed significant weaknesses in governance, risk management, and compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing requirements. Additionally, two financial institutions, ZEYNA in Niger and Société Burkinabè de Crédit Automobile SOBCA in Burkina Faso, had their licenses revoked and were placed into liquidation. ZEYNA was cited for widespread banking regulation infractions, non-compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing rules, unauthorized activities in other Union countries, and inadequate reporting. SOBCA's license withdrawal was due to widespread breaches of prudential regulations, non-compliance with supervisory authority injunctions since 2022, and no viable recovery prospects. These actions underscore the Union's commitment to strengthening financial sector oversight and combating illicit financial activities
Chinese analysts state that before the Chinese Communist Party's CCP founding in 1921, China was a semi-colonial and semi-feudal country heavily influenced by foreign powers. Over a century later, China has become the world's second-largest economy, a development Chinese authorities attribute to the CCP's role in the country's transformation. At the Chinese Embassy in Ouagadougou, Ambassador Zhao Deyong discussed the CCP's journey, presenting it as the driving force behind China's modernization. He stated that guided by Marxism-Leninism, the CCP awakened the Chinese people and nation, initiating a new chapter for a China facing foreign aggression, internal unrest, poverty, and underdevelopment. He added that the CCP led the Chinese people to overthrow imperialist forces, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism, ending China's semi-colonial and semi-feudal history and enabling the country to find its path to development. Zhao Deyong emphasized that the Chinese experience offers inspiration for many countries, founded on principles of independence and autonomy. He noted that China's development is rooted in its unique historical, cultural, and social realities, asserting that no universal development model applies to all nations. He praised Burkina Faso's Democratic and Popular Revolution, seeing it as embodying the values of independence and sovereignty championed by China. The Ambassador outlined five pillars of China's success: national independence and autonomy, prioritizing