Sahel States Confederation — The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) has issued a strong condemnation following a failed mutiny in Niamey, Niger, that took place during the night of August 28 to 29, 2026. In a statement released in Ouagadougou, government spokesperson Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouedraogo detailed the events, explaining that a group of soldiers attempted to destabilize the government by launching attacks on Air Base 101 and several other sensitive sites across the city.

The AES, which includes Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, described the actions of the mutinous soldiers as a betrayal. According to the statement, the attempt to undermine the government was thwarted thanks to the bravery and professionalism of Niger’s loyalist security forces. These forces, referred to as the “republican forces,” were credited with containing the situation and restoring order in the capital.

Ouedraogo, speaking on behalf of the confederation, reaffirmed the AES’s full support for the institutions of the Republic of Niger. He praised the loyalty, courage, and sense of duty demonstrated by Niger’s defense and security forces, emphasizing that their commitment to their oath was crucial in facing down the mutiny and contributing to the reestablishment of order.

The statement also highlighted the AES’s ongoing commitment to unity, cohesion, and stability among its member states. The confederation expressed its determination to stand alongside Niger in the pursuit of sovereignty and peace, underlining that it remains fully engaged and mobilized in support of the country.

In addition, the AES called on the populations of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to exercise particular vigilance in the face of potential disinformation campaigns, manipulation of public opinion, and attempts to create division. The confederation warned that such tactics could accompany further efforts to destabilize the region.

The statement concluded by reiterating the AES’s determination to preserve the unity and stability of the confederation, and by urging citizens to remain alert to any attempts to undermine the collective security and cohesion of the member states. The message was signed in Ouagadougou on August 29, 2026, by Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouedraogo, speaking for the spokespersons of the governments of the confederation’s member states.