AES : les ministres de la défense examinent un projet de statut de la force unifiée

#ESA: Defense Ministers Examine Draft Statute for the Unified Force The meeting of defense ministers of the Confederation of Sahel States (ESA) was held in Ouagadougou on Friday, July 10, 2026. This strategic meeting brought together Major General Célestin Simpore, Minister of War and Patriotic Defense of Burkina Faso; General Salifou Mody, Minister of National Defense of Niger; and General Oumar Diara, Minister Delegate for Defense of Mali. The opening session was chaired by Major General Célestin Simpore, Minister of War and Patriotic Defense of Burkina Faso. The regular meeting of defense ministers of the Confederation of Sahel States provides an opportunity for defense officials from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to discuss the statute of the ESA's unified force, a legal framework for more robust joint operations against terrorism. To this end, Major General Célestin Simpore made it clear that the focus is now on structuring the force. He added that he and his counterparts, the ministers of Mali and Niger, will examine the draft statute for the Southern African and Mediterranean (SAEM) force. He explained that this document contributes to and forms part of the foundation for enabling the force to operate fully across the entire SAEM region. He elaborated, "This unified force constitutes the foundation of the true army we are building together. The ambition is therefore to continue strengthening our human and material capabilities and to further enhance our operations." "The next step is for this force to increase its capabilities," the minister emphasized. A common, integrated, and responsive army is now taking shape. The ultimate goal, unequivocally, is a force that, according to the minister, "should be operational at any time." #Com_Gouv_BF