The constitutive conference of the authorities of media and communication regulation for the AES member states concluded in Niamey on Friday, September 18, 2026. This significant gathering marked a key moment for media oversight within the Alliance of Sahel States. During the proceedings, the Platform of Media and Communication Regulators (PAREMEC) was formally established, creating a new regional body dedicated to media governance. Coulibaly Gaoussou, who serves as the President of the High Authority for Communication of Mali, was designated as PAREMEC's first president, taking on the key leadership role for the nascent organization. The newly formed organization will maintain a permanent headquarters and an executive secretariat, both to be based in Niamey, solidifying its presence and operational base within the region. This decision shows Niamey's role as a central hub for regional initiatives.
Inaugural Works and Key Decisions
The inaugural works of PAREMEC addressed several critical issues, setting the agenda for its future activities. Discussions included the proliferation of disinformation, a growing concern in the digital age, and the complex role of social networks in shaping public discourse. Strategies for conflict prevention within the Sahel region, a particularly sensitive area, were also a key focus, noting the platform's commitment to regional stability. Deliberations centered on the importance of fact-checking mechanisms to combat misinformation and efforts to harmonize the institutional and legal frameworks governing media and communication regulation across member states. Participants aimed to establish common approaches to these challenges, fostering a unified regulatory environment.
Beyond the designation of Coulibaly Gaoussou as the first president, the conference saw the formal signing of the charter that establishes the Platform of Media and Communication Regulators. This signing was a key step in formalizing the organization's existence and outlining its foundational principles. The official act creating PAREMEC was also publicly read, solidifying the legal and operational foundations of the new organization and publicly affirming its mandate. The adoption of the internal regulations and action plan further detailed the operational framework and strategic priorities for the platform, providing a clear roadmap for its initial period of activity.
Strategic Recommendations for Media Regulation
The conference issued several strategic recommendations aimed at bolstering media regulation within the AES member states. Among these, participants advised equipping institutions with sufficient technical and financial resources to effectively counter informational warfare, recognizing the evolving nature of threats in the information space. A further recommendation involved continuing efforts to adopt legislative and regulatory texts essential for the effective regulation of both traditional and digital media platforms, ensuring that legal frameworks keep pace with technological advancements.
The assembled regulators also called for harmonizing norms and practices across member states regarding the oversight of traditional and digital media, promoting consistency and interoperability in regulatory approaches. Acquiring performant tools and infrastructures for monitoring audiovisual and digital content was also identified as a key recommendation, emphasizing the need for advanced capabilities to track and analyze media landscapes. To address the evolving digital landscape, the conference urged the adoption of a strong common dialogue strategy with digital platforms to ensure their compliance with the regulations of AES member states, fostering cooperation rather than solely relying on enforcement. Additionally, strengthening cooperation with other cybersecurity actors was recommended to enhance overall security and regulatory effectiveness, acknowledging the interconnectedness of media regulation and digital security.
Vision and Future Directions
The Platform of Media and Communication Regulators (PAREMEC) adopted its internal regulations and action plan, outlining the operational framework for the newly formed organization. These documents provide the structural and strategic guidance for PAREMEC's activities. Among the key recommendations for future direction, PAREMEC advised member states to focus on deconstructing narratives deemed unfavorable to the sovereignist vision of the AES, aiming to protect and promote the bloc's strategic interests. The platform also emphasized the importance of promoting national languages within the AES space, specifically in the production and dissemination of information, in order to foster cultural identity and broader accessibility. These initiatives aim to shape the media landscape in alignment with the bloc's objectives, ensuring that media content reflects and supports the shared vision of the AES.