“Some media outlets are already beginning to speculate about the three countries’ desire to return to ECOWAS; this is an opportunity to reassure everyone that there is no truth in this,” Traoré said.

He explained that negotiations would focus on establishing a new legal framework to preserve trade , freedom of movement and other benefits previously enjoyed by citizens of both blocs.

Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop reinforced the position, insisting that future negotiations must recognise AES and ECOWAS as separate regional organisations.

“These discussions with ECOWAS must, more than ever, take place within the framework of an entity-to-entity dialogue,” Diop said.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024, with their departure formally taking effect in January 2025.

The three military-led countries established the AES as a mutual defence alliance in 2023 before transforming it into a confederation in July 2024.

Traore said rebuilding international trust required an end to what he described as state support for terrorist groups.

“For the Confederation of Sahel States, restoring trust necessarily means an immediate end to state support for terrorism. Terrorism cannot continue to be an instrument of the foreign policy of certain powers,” Traore said.

He did not name the states he was referring to but alleged that terrorist groups were receiving hidden support.

“Behind the terrorist’s murderous arm, there are hidden forms of support, including from states, driven by the desire to regain lost advantages and privileges,” he added. “Silence in the face of such actions is no longer prudence; it is serious complicity.”

Traore also defended the decision by AES countries to withdraw from the International Criminal Court , pointing to what he described as “selectivity and politicisation.”

“We accept impartial and objective scrutiny. However, we reject political trials. Yes to respect for the law. But we reject its instrumentalisation <...> International justice ? Yes. Selective justice? No,” he argued.

Turning to slavery and colonialism, the Burkina Faso foreign minister called for historical recognition to be followed by further action.

He said recognition “must pave the way for truth, memory, reparations and a genuine transformation of international relations inherited from slavery and colonialism.”

Traore also addressed Burkina Faso’s security situation, saying more than 74% of the country’s territory was now under control. Security forces continue operations against militants and criminal groups.

The UN General Assembly brings together 193 member states, with this year’s session held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”

Speaking on Tuesday, Goita said Mali’s armed forces would continue operations aimed at protecting the country and its population, while working more closely with members of the Alliance of Sahel States and other strategic partners.

“The Malian army therefore intends to continue its operations to defend the territory and protect the population, in increasingly close collaboration, based on strengthened trust, with the armies of other AES countries and strategic partners,” Goita said.

Goita Backs Closer Sahel Cooperation

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger established the Alliance of Sahel States, known as AES, in 2023 as a mutual-defence pact. The three countries later formed a confederation and expanded their cooperation in security and economic matters.

Goita said the alliance would continue pursuing greater sovereignty for its members while maintaining engagement with other regional bodies.

“Despite these challenges, the Alliance of Sahel States continues its determined march towards reaffirming the sovereignty of its member states through renewed cooperation with subregional and regional organisations,” he added.

Mali continues to face attacks from armed groups in parts of the country, including al-Qaeda-linked JNIM, amid wider insecurity across the Sahel.

Mali Targets Domestic-Led Economic Growth

Goita also focused on Mali’s economy, saying real GDP growth reached 5.6% in 2025 and is projected by his government to rise to 6.3% in 2026.

“The National Strategy for Emergence and Sustainable Development has been a genuine catalyst for creating the conditions for sovereign development based on our own resources and priorities,” he said.

“This new economic policy relies largely on mobilising domestic resources and ensuring their effective management,” he added.

Goita said reforms in the mining sector had generated 18.435 billion CFA francs for the Local Mining Development Fund.

Another 109.142 billion CFA francs had been generated for a fund supporting infrastructure in the energy, water and transport sectors, he said.

"It is rather this African policy, commonly referred to as 'Francafrique', which has gone on for far too long and which President Emmanuel Macron has failed to truly do away with. This is what is causing France to lose its influence," Motoki said. "France must refocus its diplomacy on the areas where it is at its strongest."

He said the legacy of former Burkinabe leader Thomas Sankara continues to resonate strongly with young Africans seeking greater independence from former colonial powers.

"There is a historical consciousness, through Thomas Sankara, among African peoples and African youth, of the fact that Thomas Sankara had made sovereignty a key marker. So President Ibrahim Traore, who has taken up the torch, is, I believe, acting in this spirit," he said.

Motoki also attributed the deterioration in relations between Ouagadougou and Paris to the contrasting leadership styles of the two presidents.

"On the one hand, President Emmanuel Macron, and on the other, President Ibrahim Traore, are young and hot-blooded. They're not like Mitterrand, who could take a step back," he said.

The analyst argued that perceptions of French interference in African affairs continue to shape public opinion across West Africa, citing the 2011 removal of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, who has accused France of helping to force him from power.

“The epicentre of global terrorism is in Africa. ISIS leadership right now is African, whether it’s in Somalia, Nigeria, Mali or Niger,” Anderson said. He added that, “Al-Qaeda’s economic engine is also in Africa right now, especially in the Sahel, where they generate millions of dollars through extortion, kidnappings for ransom and other illicit activities.”

“They are learning organisations. They have evolved and adapted over time, and they’ve learned how to operate quietly because they understand what happens when they become too visible. Both ISIS and Al-Qaeda have migrated toward Africa,” he added.

The AFRICOM commander pointed to countries including Somalia, Nigeria, Mali and Niger as areas where extremist organisations have strengthened their presence and operational capacity.

According to him, Al-Qaeda affiliates in the Sahel have “more than tripled in size” over the last five years, with extremist groups increasingly generating revenue through extortion, kidnappings for ransom and illicit activities.

He also warned that some groups are evolving into quasi-state actors capable of controlling territory, disrupting national economies and threatening capital cities.

Referring to recent attacks in Mali claimed by Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), Anderson expressed concern over public threats against the capital, Bamako.

“JNIM recently made a public statement saying they were going to attack and seize Bamako and warned civilians not to resist. That should give people some chills because that’s exactly the kind of messaging ISIS used before it entered Mosul,” he said.

“If a terrorist organisation can threaten a national capital, it changes the game. It gives them legitimacy, access to resources and makes them more attractive to extremists from around the world,” he added.

Anderson argued that the withdrawal of Western military forces from parts of West Africa has created what he described as an “intelligence black hole,” limiting the ability of the United States and its allies to fully monitor developments in the region.

Despite his warnings, he stressed that the people of Africa should not be blamed for the rise of extremist groups.

“This is not to disparage Africa because the people of Africa, for the most part, do not want these terrorists there. West Africans have a long history of moderate and open Islam and produced some of the greatest Islamic scholars in history,” he said.

He linked the growth of extremist recruitment to poverty, unemployment and governance challenges, arguing that many recruits initially join militant groups for economic survival rather than ideology.

He emphasised that the United States should avoid direct long-term military intervention, instead focusing on intelligence sharing, training and support for African partners.

“We need to pay attention to this threat and avoid the mistake of simply walking away or ignoring it. I believe the threat is real, and I have real concern about where this could go,” General Dagvin R. M. Anderson cautioned.

Watch the review of his comments at The Sedona Forum in the attached video.