In brief
In a joint communique released by Xinhua on November 6, 2026, Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tiani and Malian transitional president Assimi Goita reaffirmed their commitment to the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) and the fight against terrorism. The leaders praised the AES Unified Force’s progress, condemned mercenary interference allegedly backed by foreign governments, and agreed to coordinate future visits and policies across security, diplomacy and development. While the communique highlighted the importance of joint action, questions remain about the identity of the mercenaries and the dates of future high‑level exchanges.
On November 6, 2026, Xinhua reported that Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tiani and Malian transitional president Assimi Goita reaffirmed their commitment to the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) and the fight against terrorism during a working and friendship visit to Niamey.
The joint communique, issued at the end of the visit, noted that the leaders were received by President Tiani at Diori Hamani International Airport in the capital, Niamey, where they held a one‑on‑one meeting before chairing an expanded working session attended by members of both delegations.
According to the communique, the discussions focused on the security situation in the AES region and the advances made in defense and security, diplomacy and development. The two leaders welcomed the results achieved by the AES Unified Force in combating terrorist groups and reaffirmed their determination to eradicate terrorism in all its forms.
Both presidents condemned attempts to destabilize the member states of the confederation by mercenaries allegedly backed by foreign governments. While the communique expressed strong disapproval of such interference, it did not identify the specific actors or the nature of the support.
In the diplomatic front, the leaders highlighted the coordination of positions and initiatives across the AES states. They said that this helped strengthen the confederation’s visibility and standing at the subregional, African and international levels.
The communique also underscored joint efforts to coordinate policies and programs in areas including the free movement of people and goods, transport infrastructure, agro‑industrial development, and the exploitation of energy and mineral resources.
Goita invited President Tiani to pay an official visit to Mali, an invitation Tiani accepted. The date of that visit will be determined through diplomatic channels, the communique stated.
AES Designation and Structure
Established in July 2024 by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, the Confederation of Sahel States provides a framework for cooperation among the three countries in defense and security, diplomacy and development. The confederation’s “Unified Force” has been a key tool in mounting joint operations against jihadist groups and other security threats across the Sahel.
While the communique lauded the Unified Force’s progress, it did not detail specific operations or the size of the force. The reference to “advances made in the fields of defense and security” implies ongoing development in joint training, intelligence sharing, and coordinated patrols, but no explicit figures or dates were provided.
Open questions remain regarding the next steps in the AES partnership. The communique indicated a willingness to coordinate future visits, but the exact timing and itinerary have yet to be finalized. Furthermore, the assertion that mercenaries are “allegedly backed by foreign governments” raises the issue of which external actors may be engaging or encouraging these groups, yet the statement offers no further clarification.
Analysts point out that the renewed pledge comes against a backdrop of persistent insecurity in the Sahel region, where jihadist groups have exploited porous borders and weak state presence. The reaffirmation of AES cooperation is therefore viewed as a strategic move to reinforce regional resilience against such threats.
Given the limited information supplied by the communique, observers are keen to see whether the subsequent formal visit will lead to tangible policy shifts, additional resources for the Unified Force, or concrete measures to address the external mercenary threat.
In closing, the Niger–Mali joint communique signals a continued emphasis on consolidating the AES alliance to strengthen armed forces, foster diplomatic alignment, and promote socio‑economic collaboration in the Sahel, while leaving several questions regarding implementation and external interference unresolved.
