Sahel alliance: police chiefs unite to tackle regional threats

The top police officials from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger convened in Ouagadougou this week to strengthen security collaboration within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The meeting brought together police directors and security experts from the three nations to address shared challenges threatening regional stability.

Building a unified security front

This gathering focused on aligning policing strategies, enhancing information-sharing systems, and boosting operational capacities across the three countries. Key priorities include streamlining judicial investigations, improving public order maintenance, and leveraging advanced technological tools to combat evolving security threats.

From Bamako to Ouagadougou: a strategic continuity

Inspector General Thierry Dofizouho Tuina of Burkina Faso’s National Police opened the session by emphasizing the need for police forces to serve as active contributors to the AES’s growth. He highlighted this meeting as a direct follow-up to the historic police chiefs’ summit held in Bamako earlier this year in January, as well as the recent Security Ministers’ conference on July 1st.

Free movement and border security in focus

Discussions also centered on facilitating seamless movement within the confederation while tightening border controls. Police leaders aim to standardize cross-border procedures, share critical intelligence, and eliminate illegal roadblocks and extortion practices that disrupt trade and travel.

Strengthening regional resilience

Control General Youssouf Koné of Mali’s National Police stressed the importance of pooling resources to meet public security demands and foster the AES’s development. Meanwhile, Commissioner General Assahaba Ebankawal of Niger underscored how enhanced cooperation would help counter the surge in terrorist attacks, transnational crime, and other pressing security threats facing the three nations.

The three-day deliberations are expected to yield actionable recommendations to solidify police collaboration across the Alliance of Sahel States.