• “Daandè Liptako” to broadcast from Ouagadougou with relays in Bamako, Niamey
  
• Station aims to counter disinformation and promote AES regional sovereignty

The foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger signed a memorandum of understanding last week to create a confederation-wide radio station. The station, named “Daandè Liptako” (“The Voice of Liptako” in Fulfulde), was first announced last July during the second summit of AES heads of state in Ouagadougou.

Burkina Faso’s state news agency (AIB) reports that the station will be headquartered in Ouagadougou, with relay transmitters in Bamako and Niamey to ensure coverage across the AES area. The official launch is scheduled for the next heads-of-state summit, planned for December 22–23, 2025 in Bamako.

Burkinabe Communication Minister Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo said the agreement marks “a decisive step” in consolidating the bloc’s achievements. “When it comes to information and communication, sovereignty is non-negotiable. We want to control our own narrative and mobilize our populations against disinformation,” he said. The new station will serve as the Confederation’s official voice and is intended to counter disinformation campaigns targeting Sahel countries.

Created in 2023 and formalized as a confederation in 2024, the AES aims to strengthen regional cooperation in addressing security crises, terrorism and socio-economic challenges in the Sahel.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou