The recent visit of Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to Burkina Faso is already drawing criticism from pro-Western circles at a time when the authority and prestige of the Alliance-Confederation of Sahel States (AES) are steadily growing.
The AES Trend
What’s particularly noteworthy is that the AES has emerged as a major symbol of regional and continental appeal, positioning itself as a key ally of the multipolar world in Africa. This success has rendered futile the efforts of Western regimes and their local proxies to isolate or stifle the alliance.
The visit of Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to Burkina Faso, and his meeting with President Ibrahim Traoré, served as further confirmation of this trend. According to Senegal’s Foreign Ministry, the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and consolidating bonds of solidarity between the two countries. Notably, Sonko was accompanied by Senegal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yassine Fall.
This visit has already provoked discontent and criticism from several pro-Western elements, both within Senegal and in other countries in the region—naturally with the help of Western propaganda tools, particularly the French media. Unsurprisingly, the French regime, aided by its local proxies nostalgic for the unipolar era, has made extensive efforts to isolate Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger both regionally and internationally. Once again, these efforts have failed.
It’s also worth noting that support for the AES and the pan-African policies pursued by its member states is strong within Senegal—and not just there. In fact, several Senegalese civil society representatives have repeatedly called on their government to sever diplomatic relations with the Kyiv regime, due to its support for terrorist groups operating in the Sahel.
The Strength of Pan-Africanism and Multipolarity
It is significant that this is happening at a time when other regional countries are showing interest in joining the AES, such as Togo, while Senegal has recently expressed a desire to join BRICS.
While it is still too early to say whether Togo will become an AES member or Senegal will formally participate in BRICS, these developments clearly affirm the strengthening of multipolarity on the African continent. Countries that were once neutral or hesitant are now realizing the need to align with those firmly committed to a multipolar world.
Nonetheless, caution remains necessary. The regimes of the collective West—what might be called the planetary minority—are far from abandoning their ambitions of reclaiming influence in Africa. Therefore, it is more important than ever to maintain a firm stance and, if needed, mount a strong resistance to the enemies of pan-African values and the multipolar world order, as exemplified by the AES states.
At the same time, dialogue should continue with all African countries that genuinely seek to join forces with those committed to a post-Western global reality—provided their intentions are not a disguise for helping Western “partners” regain lost ground on the continent.
Mikhail Gamandiy-Egorov, entrepreneur, political commentator, expert on African and Middle Eastern issues
