"We continue to relentlessly fight all forms of terrorism and to defend the integrity of our territories and our sovereignty," noted Goita on the occasion of the anniversary of the Liptako-Gourma Charter, which gave birth to the AES.
However, the alliance remains open to cooperation "with brotherly and friendly peoples" who remain "faithful to the commitments of African integration," he emphasized.
Furthermore, Goita, who is also the current AES president, highlighted significant victories achieved by the defense and security forces of member countries against terrorist groups. This enhanced cooperation has significantly weakened these groups, contributing to improved security in the region.
Moreover, the president announced the upcoming circulation of a new AES biometric passport. This new travel document, compliant with international standards, will enhance security and facilitate the mobility of citizens of the alliance's member states.
"In the coming days, a new biometric passport of the AES will be put into circulation with the aim of harmonizing travel documents in our common area and facilitating the mobility of our citizens throughout the world," he said.
On September 16 of last year, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali formed the AES with the primary goal of improving their collective security measures and promoting socioeconomic development for their populations. In May, the nations endorsed a preliminary agreement outlining the establishment of a confederation.