Burkina Faso: President Ibrahim Traoré reviews security with AES defense ministers in Moscow

On the sidelines of the 80th anniversary commemorations of the victory over Nazism in Moscow, the President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, received in audience, on Friday, May 9, 2025, the defense ministers of the member countries of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES). This highly strategic meeting took place in the current context of counter-terrorism efforts and security restructuring in the region.

Discussions focused on assessing the security situation within the confederation’s territory. The ministers provided an updated overview of ongoing military operations, persistent threats, and the successes achieved in several critical areas thanks to the growing strength of national armies. The delegations welcomed the increasing coordination between the armed forces of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, which now enables better anticipation and targeting of terrorist groups.

President Traoré’s presence at this meeting reflects his personal and ongoing commitment to overseeing the AES’s defense policy. His active leadership, praised by his counterparts, makes him a central figure in the drive for security sovereignty that the Confederation seeks to establish in response to the failure of foreign-imposed models.

The meeting in Moscow—a highly symbolic location of historical resistance—comes at a time when AES countries are working to redefine their military cooperation on new foundations. The strategic alignment with Russia, combined with internal efforts to pool resources, demonstrates that the member states are taking control of their own security future, moving away from ineffective foreign aid frameworks.