AES parliamentary presidents meet in Ouagadougou to operationalize confederal sessions
via Lefaso.net2 min read
The presidents of the parliaments of the Alliance of Sahel States AES member states convened in Ouagadougou on Monday, June 29, 2026, for a high-level working meeting. The primary goal of this third gathering, following previous meetings in August and September 2025, is to develop an operational calendar for implementing confederal sessions of the AES parliaments. This aligns with commitments made by member states, including the Legislative Assembly of the People Burkina Faso, led by Dr. Ousmane Bougouma; the National Transitional Council Mali, chaired by General Malick Diaw; and the Consultative Council for Refoundation Niger, with Dr. Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey. A key step in establishing the sub-regional institution's bodies was the signing of an additional protocol to the Treaty establishing the Confederation of Sahel States AES on December 23, 2025, in Bamako, Mali. This protocol, which was the subject of a bill for ratification on May 12, 2026, at the Legislative Assembly of the People, mandates regular parliamentary confederal sessions to harmonize legislation, strengthen political consultation, and promote concerted governance. The current meeting is a significant step in fulfilling these commitments, demonstrating the AES parliaments' shared desire to play a leading role in building the Confederation through effective coordination and fostering political and institutional integration. The parliaments of AES member states are considered crucial for promoting and defen
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Must ReadCaptain Ibrahim Traoré, President of Faso and current President of the Confederation of Sahel States AES, met with legislative leaders from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The meeting, held in Ouagadougou, focused on establishing the AES confederal parliament, as announced by the Presidency of Faso on Monday, June 29, 2026. The delegation included Dr. Ousmane Bougouma, President of the Legislative Assembly of the People of Burkina Faso; General Malick Diaw, President of the National Transitional Council of Mali; and Dr. Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, President of the Consultative Council for the Refoundation of Niger. The purpose of the audience was to receive guidance from the Confederation's president before continuing their work. Texts governing the future parliament's sessions were drafted in September 2025 and adopted by AES heads of state in December 2025. Parliamentary officials plan to accelerate the process by appointing representatives from the three states and convening the first confederal session soon. The confederal parliament will complete the AES institutional framework, representing the people of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Its mission will include monitoring confederal institutions, addressing citizen concerns, and contributing to the Sahelian region's political integration.
Must ReadFollowing Burkina Faso's decision on June 26, 2026, to sever diplomatic ties with France, a move acknowledged by the French side, Burkinabe civil society actor Jonas Hien emphasizes that while governments may part ways, the connection between their peoples endures. Hien notes that the diplomatic rupture stems from a profound degradation of trust, citing alleged French interference in Burkina Faso's internal affairs, support for subversive networks and terrorist actions, repeated denigration of Burkina Faso internationally, paternalistic attitudes, and a refusal to fully recognize national sovereignty. The Burkinabe government's statement clarifies that this decision affects relations between states, not between the French and Burkinabe populations. Hien explains that diplomatic relations are between sovereign states, and their cessation does not mean an end to human interaction, trade, or cultural exchange between citizens. He likens it to neighbors who stop speaking but continue to live in the same area. The rupture is a political act, not a declaration of war, and its effects on daily life are not instantaneous, with flights, businesses, and families continuing their routines. Hien stresses that this decision is not a rejection of the French people but a desire to redefine state relations based on mutual respect, equality, and the full recognition of each nation's right to self-determination. He also highlights the historical contributions of African soldiers and resources
Must ReadThe ECOWAS Court of Justice has ruled in favor of Dr. Mèdessi Yves Armand Mongbo, four years after his dismissal as Director General of the West African Health Organization WAHO. In a judgment issued on May 15, 2026, the court recognized the regularity of his recruitment, declared his dismissal wrongful, and ordered the ECOWAS Commission to pay him damages. Dr. Mongbo was initially ranked first after tests and interviews for the Director General position and was appointed by a decision of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers on July 19, 2022. However, on August 1, 2022, the same Council amended its previous decision, removing him from his post at the request of the State of Benin due to internal political reasons. Dr. Melchior Athanase Joël C. Aïssi, who had placed second in the recruitment process, was then appointed. After exhausting internal remedies, Dr. Mongbo filed a claim for compensation against the ECOWAS Commission on April 25, 2025. The court rejected the defense's objection regarding the eligibility of barrister Mamadou Traoré to plead, citing the UEMOA treaty which allows lawyers authorized in one member state to plead before the ECOWAS Court of Justice. The court found Dr. Mongbo's recruitment to be regular and his dismissal wrongful. Consequently, the ECOWAS Commission was ordered to pay Dr. Mongbo 25 million CFA francs for material damages and 10 million CFA francs for moral damages. The court did not order the liquidation of his severance pay and gave the ECOWAS C