The top police officials from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger convened in Ouagadougou this week for a critical meeting to deepen security collaboration within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The gathering aimed to establish a unified strategy to tackle the escalating security threats plaguing the region.
The three-day session brought together senior police leaders and technical experts from all member states. Key priorities included aligning policing protocols, enhancing information-sharing systems, and strengthening operational readiness. Discussions also focused on joint investigative efforts, crowd control methods, and the integration of advanced forensic and technological tools to combat crime more effectively.
At the opening of the talks, Thierry Dofizouho Tuina, Inspector General of Burkina Faso’s National Police, emphasized the need for police forces to act as proactive instruments in building the Alliance of Sahel States. He highlighted that this gathering followed up on decisions made during the initial police chiefs’ meeting in Bamako earlier this year and the subsequent Security Ministers’ Conference held in July.
Youssouf Koné, General Controller of Mali’s National Police, underscored the importance of pooling resources to meet public security demands and foster sustainable development within the confederation. Meanwhile, Assahaba Ebankawal, Commissioner General of Niger’s National Police, stressed that enhanced cooperation would be vital in countering the surge in terrorist attacks, transnational crime, and other pressing security challenges facing the three nations.
The meeting also explored ways to facilitate smoother movement of people and goods across the confederal space. Police chiefs discussed streamlining border controls, improving intelligence sharing, and eliminating illegal roadblocks and administrative extortion that hinder trade and mobility.
The deliberations are expected to yield actionable recommendations to reinforce cross-border policing and ensure a more coordinated response to regional threats.
