The President of Faso, Head of State and current President of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), Captain Ibrahim Traoré, welcomed his Malian counterpart, Army General Assimi Goïta, in Ouagadougou on Thursday, November 5, 2026. The visit, described as one of friendship and work, is part of efforts to consolidate ties among the Confederation’s member states.
The Malian President arrived in the Burkinabe capital in the early evening and was received at the presidential pavilion of Ouagadougou International Airport, where an official ceremony was held in his honor.
The visit comes a few days after the Russia–Africa summit held in Moscow, which the Malian leader also attended.
The two heads of state then held one-on-one talks in the honor lounge. Discussions focused on the two countries’ shared priorities, including development, the fight against terrorism, African integration and international affairs.
Security was central to the two leaders’ concerns. Mali and Burkina Faso, alongside Niger, have faced the terrorist threat in the Sahel region for several years.
The Confederation of Sahel States, created in July 2024, has established a joint force of about 5,000 troops to address this common challenge.
Beyond security, the discussions also covered prospects for economic development within the AES area.
The two countries are seeking to strengthen the free movement of goods and people, facilitate bilateral trade and develop structuring projects in energy, agriculture and infrastructure.
This momentum aims to make the AES not only a security space but also one of shared prosperity.
The populations of the three countries expect concrete results in employment, food sovereignty and access to essential services.
Cédric KABORE
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