Sahel police chiefs convene in Ouagadougou to bolster regional security framework

The top policing authorities from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger gathered in Ouagadougou this week to solidify their collective security strategy under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The meeting brought together senior police officials and technical experts to align operational methodologies and enhance cross-border collaboration against escalating regional threats.

Unified policing strategies to counter evolving security challenges

The three-day deliberations focused on synchronizing police protocols, streamlining information-sharing systems, and strengthening investigative and operational capacities. Key priorities included joint judicial inquiries, crowd management protocols, and the integration of advanced technological solutions to track and neutralize security threats more effectively.

From Bamako to Ouagadougou: building on earlier commitments

At the opening ceremony, Burkina Faso‘s Inspector General of National Police Thierry Dofizouho Tuina emphasized the need for police forces to act as proactive instruments in the AES’s development. He highlighted that this gathering followed up on resolutions from the initial police chiefs’ meeting in Bamako earlier this year and subsequent security ministerial discussions held last month.

Facilitating mobility while tightening security oversight

Discussions also covered the practicalities of unrestricted movement within the confederation’s borders. Police leaders agreed on the necessity of standardizing border controls, enhancing intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and eliminating illegal checkpoints that disrupt trade and travel across the region.

The Malian National Police Director General, Controller General Youssouf Koné, stressed that pooling resources and expertise would be crucial in meeting public security expectations and accelerating the AES’s developmental goals.

The Nigerien counterpart, Commissioner General Assahaba Ebankawal, underscored how coordinated action would help combat the surge in terrorist activities, cross-border crime syndicates, and other pressing security vulnerabilities facing all three nations.

Next steps: concrete recommendations for operational cohesion

Delegates are expected to finalize actionable proposals to reinforce police cooperation throughout the AES, ensuring a more resilient and responsive security architecture for the Sahel region.

By Boureima Amadou — Reporter