Ambassador Adani Illo, President of the National Committee for the Operationalization of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), opened a meeting in Niamey on Monday, August 17, 2026. The objective of the gathering is to conduct a mid-term review of the status of activities undertaken for Year II of the Confederation's roadmap. Ambassador Illo stated that "the initiative of the presidency of the AES Confederation is both far-sighted and judicious in that it allows all technical departments to take precise stock of the activities deployed and the results obtained in each sector of activity." He also praised "the remarkable work that has been done by the Burkina Commission, which allows us to have a mid-term assessment that is both quantitative and qualitative." Illo emphasized that the two-day exercise involves examining, enriching, and determining the level of achievement of the strategic document to plan actions for the second half of the Confederation's year.
Reviewing Progress and Goals
Ambassador Adani Illo emphasized the significance of the meeting, stating that "the initiative of the presidency of the AES Confederation is both far-sighted and judicious in that it allows all technical departments to take precise stock of the activities deployed and the results obtained in each sector of activity." Illo particularly noted "the remarkable work that has been done by the Burkina Commission, which allows us to have a mid-term assessment that is both quantitative and qualitative." He also outlined the objectives for the two-day gathering, explaining that "the exercise expected of us over the next two days is to examine this strategic document, enrich it, and determine its level of achievement in terms of programming to project ourselves onto the actions to be taken during the second half of the Confederation's year."
Delegation Perspectives
The ongoing exercise focuses on examining and enriching the Confederation's strategic document to assess its level of realization regarding programming. M. Ernest Auguste Gulwassa Yelemou, who leads the Burkina Faso delegation, saluted the efforts of the Nigerien teams. He stated that the gathering "will remain for us a particularly enriching moment, both on a human and professional level, and we hope that the ties established on this occasion will strengthen and open the way to new, even more fruitful perspectives." He further emphasized that the strength of the AES lies in the diversity of experiences and the capacity to transform exchanges into concrete actions. Gulwassa Yelemou added that "today, in a context where challenges are numerous, these challenges are also opportunities for us, opportunities to rethink our methods, to strengthen our partnerships and to build lasting and effective solutions, to find together the path that will lead us towards the conclusive and lasting results desired by the highest authorities who have given us responsibility."
Looking Ahead
The ongoing discussions in Niamey aim to project specific actions for the second semester of the Confederation's year, guiding future efforts. Delegates are conducting this review within a context marked by numerous challenges. These challenges are being framed as opportunities to rethink operational methods, strengthen existing partnerships, and develop lasting, effective solutions for the Sahel region. The collaborative effort seeks to align strategies for the upcoming period, building on the progress made.
Strengthening Partnerships
The President of the Nigerien Committee assured participants of the full contribution from both the committee itself and Niger's technical departments. This assurance underlines a commitment to collaborative efforts within the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) framework. The Nigerien representatives emphasized their dedication to the ongoing review process, aiming to support the collective objectives. This commitment is central to fostering stronger partnerships among member states as they assess and plan for the next phase of the Confederation's roadmap. The involvement of Nigerien technical departments is expected to provide substantial input into the strategic document's refinement.