Africa-Press. A meeting of the security ministers from the Sahel Alliance was held in Ouagadougou to discuss mechanisms aimed at enhancing security cooperation.
Officials from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are seeking to ensure that these measures facilitate the free movement of people and goods while intensifying the fight against terrorism and transnational crime.
The security ministers dedicated the Ouagadougou meeting to activating the cooperation tools outlined in the additional protocol regarding security and the free movement of people and goods.
During the opening ceremony, the security minister of Burkina Faso, Mohamedou Sana, noted that the discussions focused particularly on an additional security protocol and technical arrangements related to road inspections. According to him, these texts will strengthen the legal and operational framework of the alliance and help reduce extortion and harassment on major roads.
The ministers also assessed the progress made in implementing the biometric national identity card and electronic passport, as well as the unification of road inspection procedures between Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Representing Mali, Omar Sougouba reaffirmed the commitment of member states to enhance their cooperation in addressing security challenges through resource sharing, coordinated efforts, and unified strategies.
The Minister of Interior and Public Security of Niger, General Mohamed Tomba, welcomed the experts’ conclusions and called for the adoption of the draft texts, which he described as essential tools for consolidating security and facilitating freedom of movement within the alliance.
Participants also announced the possibility of exchanging databases related to wanted persons and assets among the three countries in the future. This measure aims to improve the exchange of intelligence information and strengthen the fight against terrorism, organized crime, and other cross-border threats. This meeting embodies the desire of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to accelerate the security integration of their alliance by enhancing joint cooperation and mobility mechanisms.
