President of Burkina Faso and President of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), Captain Ibrahim Traoré, received defense ministers from AES member countries in Ouagadougou as part of efforts to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Unified AES Force.

The delegation included Niger’s Minister of State and Minister of National Defense, General Salifou Mody, Mali’s Minister Delegate in charge of Defense, General Oumar Diarra, and Burkina Faso’s Minister of State, Minister of War and Patriotic Defense, General Célestin Simporé.

The meeting focused on implementing the second-year roadmap of the AES Confederation and reviewing key documents needed to ensure the effective functioning of the joint force and establish a legal framework for its mission.

General Simporé said President Traoré emphasized that the unified force must become a leading instrument in the fight against terrorism and in defending the sovereignty of AES member states.

He added that current security challenges require long-term preparation for a high-intensity conflict.

Regarding recent terrorist attacks in Mali, the delegation confirmed that the situation remains under control in Mali and across the AES region.