Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali to launch regional airline

Actu Niger has reported that the country’s Transport Minister, Col Maj Salissou Mahaman Salissou has said that the Alliance of Sahel States –  is planning to establish a regional airline to consolidate economic partnerships in the new bloc, privately owned. The alliance comprises of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.

Salissou said, “The establishment of the regional airline of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is a priority, and we will soon have a company in the colours of the AES, which will connect our capitals and serve other destinations.”

The minister also said the junta in Niamey had instructed Niger’s aviation authorities “to relax certain legal provisions” to fast-track the creation of the regional airline as well as a national carrier.

The junta-led AES countries have also launched a unified passport and announced the creation of a joint force to tackle militant groups active in the region following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).

A few months back, the three junta-led countries, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, members of the newly created Alliance of Sahel States (AES), declared their withdrawal from the most influential bloc—the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The three countries have cut military ties with France to reinforce what they have described as their “independence,” which they also say should spread across other parts of Africa.

AES was founded on September 16, 2023, with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger signing the Liptako-Gourma Charter. Named after their shared cross-border region, it serves as a defence bloc against external threats and terrorism while pursuing economic integration.

It prioritizes energy, infrastructure, transport, and food security projects. Many young people in Africa have embraced the idea, urging other African leaders to join the alliance.

Mimi Mefo Info