AES trajectory will not change after Mali attack, says Jonas Hien
via Lefaso.net5 min read
Following terrorist attacks in Mali on April 25, 2026, Burkinabe civil society actor Jonas Somé called for increased vigilance from youth and all stakeholders, asserting that the dynamic initiated by the three AES leaders must continue to its conclusion. He stated that the Confederation of Sahel States AES has chosen to take control of its destiny, marking a break from decades of political, economic, security, cultural, and diplomatic dependence. This pursuit of integral sovereignty is a decisive turning point in contemporary Sahelian history. This path to emancipation faces resistance, disrupting established interests and exposing member states to renewed pressure and destabilization attempts. The resurgence of terrorist attacks in the AES region, including the recent attack in Mali that killed General Sadio Camara, Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, highlights the threats faced by the Confederation. Affirming sovereignty requires concrete capacity to control territory, secure populations, manage natural resources, and define international partnerships. AES states inherit fragile systems, including economic dependence, under-equipped armies, weak institutions, and economies dominated by raw material exports. An intense information war also manipulates perceptions to discredit sovereign efforts. The fundamental issue is control over natural resources, especially minerals, which have long benefited external interests rather than local populations. Regaining control of t
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