Home West Africa Sahel States Hold First Edition of Sports Competition in Mali’s Capital Bamako

Sahel States Hold First Edition of Sports Competition in Mali’s Capital Bamako

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From June 21 to 28, 2025, Mali’s capital, Bamako, hosted the first edition of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Games.

(3 Minutes Read)

More than 500 professional athletes from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger competed in football, traditional wrestling, archery, and other events. The event comes at a time of deep regional instability.

From June 21 to 28, 2025, Mali’s capital, Bamako, hosted the first edition of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Games.

More than 500 professional athletes from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger competed in football, traditional wrestling, archery, and other events. The event comes at a time of deep regional instability. All three countries have faced jihadist insurgencies for over a decade, involving groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State.

The AES Games are part of a broader effort by the three nations to build solidarity under the newly formed Alliance of Sahel States, a security and political bloc. Burkina Faso finished third in the tournament.

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The AES flag was officially handed over to Roland Somda, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Youth and Sport, as the country prepares to host the next edition in 2026.