Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré has officially received the draft anthem of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), titled La Confédérale, in a symbolic ceremony held in Ouagadougou on Monday. The anthem was presented by a joint ministerial delegation for culture from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the three founding members of the alliance. The composition is described as a poetic and musical expression of shared values, designed to foster unity, pride, and collective identity across the AES bloc, which was formed in 2023 following the countries’ withdrawal from ECOWAS.
The anthem is the latest addition to the emerging AES identity system, which already includes a flag and logo. Officials stated that La Confédérale was developed through public consultations, expert review, and ministerial approval—reflecting a participatory and collaborative approach to cultural diplomacy. The draft had previously been presented to Malian President Assimi Goïta, who currently chairs the AES, before being delegated for formal reception to President Traoré.
Next steps include a coordinated official launch in all three countries, integration of the anthem into school curricula, and its adoption by military and civic bands. The move underscores the AES’s effort to forge a distinct cultural and political identity, amid ongoing regional realignments and calls for greater sovereignty and cooperation among Sahel states facing shared security and development challenges.
