An initiative in the Sahel region of Africa to liberate its films from the effects of colonialism

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:

Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Karamoko received Jean-Marie TraoréAccompanied by Deputy Minister Bebgnasgnan Stella Eldin, a select group of film professionals from Burkina Faso, who are members of the AES Alliance of Sahel States for Film and Audiovisual Media.

The delegation presented Minister Traore with their new collaborative framework with the AES Film and Audiovisual Media Association.

The union, which includes an elite group of film professionals from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, was founded during its first founding general assembly meeting held in February 2026 in Bamako, Mali.

Uniting efforts to support the development of the film industry within the Union

The union aims to unite efforts to support the development of the film industry within the union, with a focus on producing content that reflects the reality of the union.

President Mamonatha Nikima stated, “In line with the vision of shared sovereignty among the leaders of the three countries, the ASEAN Film and Audiovisual Media Association has set its sights on developing financing mechanisms to support the production, exploitation, and distribution of works by filmmakers in the ASEAN countries.”.

Nikima and her colleagues sought support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the national level, and from diplomatic and consular missions abroad, to ensure the success of this organization, which is currently chaired by Burkina Faso.

The Foreign Minister commended this initiative by the film and audiovisual media authorities in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

He congratulated them and encouraged them to present projects that commemorate the heroes of the League countries, their great achievements, and their shared values.

Cinema is an element of diplomacy

Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traore said that cinema is an element of diplomacy, as it is an effective channel for dismantling stereotypes and promoting the true image of our countries.

He praised the commitment, whose benefits are not necessarily limited to the material aspect, but will contribute to freeing the screens of the countries of the African Sahel from the effects of colonialism.

He expressed his ministry’s readiness to support the AES Film and Audiovisual Media Association by facilitating meetings with partners and establishing frameworks for dialogue among them.

The three countries are known as the Sahel countries, and in July 2024 Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger announced the establishment of a joint entity called the Confederation of Sahel States, to unite their political, economic and military efforts.