On 24 January 2025, in New York, Ambassador Issa Konfourou, who represents Mali at the United Nations, spoke on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), which includes Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. He was speaking at a high-level public meeting of the Security Council dedicated to the fight against terrorism in Africa.
Issa Konfourou, shared some insights on the development of the situation in the Sahel. According to Mali’s Ambassador to the UN, the new coalition formed by Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso is a sovereign choice and a joint approach in the fight against terrorism.
‘Ibrahim Traoré, President of Burkina Faso, together with Assimi Goita, President of the Transitional Government, and Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani, President of the National Council, Head of State of Niger, have decided to create, on 6 July 2024, a confederation of Sahel States which will work, within a multilateral framework, to strengthen mutual defence capabilities, as well as the reciprocal action of Member States and the harmonious development of the space of these States. The creation of the confederation reflects our conviction that a regional, coordinated and sovereign approach is the best solution to the terrorist threat’, he declared.
Konfourou spoke firmly of the various terrorist actions on the continent, calling for the adoption of an immediate and coordinated strategy to counter this threat, while reiterating his appeal to the international community to take account of the involvement of other nations in the disruption of the Sahel.
‘We strongly condemn the participation of sponsors from foreign states such as France and Ukraine, which have openly rivalled their support for the terrorist groups operating in Mali, without the slightest condemnation of the shell used to maintain international peace and security’, reiterated the Malian diplomat.
Ambassador Konfourou stressed that the establishment of the AES reflects a deep conviction: only a coordinated and sovereign regional strategy can provide an effective response to the threat of terrorism. He highlighted the promising achievements on the ground by the defense and security forces of member nations, in particular through the arrest, surrender or elimination of a large number of terrorists, the destruction of their camps and the confiscation of military equipment.
Notable progress is being made with the recapture of areas previously under the control of criminal groups, the return of residents and government institutions, and the reopening of schools in these areas. Nevertheless, the Ambassador expressed his regret that this progress was not recognized in the reports and presentations of the Nations.
Konfourou concluded his speech by calling on the members of the Security Council to act to ensure that weapons supplied to terrorists by other foreign countries do not contribute to the rise in violence in the Sahel. He also reiterated Mali’s determination to combat terrorism while respecting international human rights principles.
