Mali Takes PAREMEC AES Presidency: Leading Sahel Media Regulators

• Mali's Gaoussou Coulibaly was appointed President of the new Platform of Media and Communication Regulators of the Alliance of Sahel States (PAREMEC AES) on September 18, 2026, in Niamey.
• The PAREMEC AES constitutive conference focused on information sovereignty, combating disinformation, and harmonizing media and communication regulations across member states.
• Key discussions addressed social networks, conflict prevention, fact-checking, and the need for adapted legal frameworks for traditional and digital media.
• Recommendations included providing technical and financial resources to regulatory bodies and promoting professionalization among media actors.
• The platform aims to foster synergy among regulators to counter disinformation and propaganda, supporting the AES states' pursuit of sovereignty.

This holistic approach underscores a commitment to shaping public discourse and reinforcing regional identity amidst complex challenges.

Mali has taken the helm of the newly established Platform of Media and Communication Regulators of the Alliance of Sahel States (PAREMEC AES), following its constitutive conference held in Niamey. The significant gathering concluded on Friday, September 18, 2026, with the appointment of Mr. Gaoussou Coulibaly, who serves as the President of Mali's High Authority of Communication, to lead the regional media regulators' platform. This move positions Mali at the forefront of efforts to shape media governance across the AES member states.

The conference, which spanned two days, culminated in the formal creation of PAREMEC AES. Presidents of the three national regulatory bodies signed the foundational charter, solidifying their commitment to regional cooperation. The event was presided over by Mr. Mashoul Abdoul Nasser, the Secretary General of Niger's Ministry of Communication and New Information Technologies, underscoring the high-level support for this initiative.

Under the overarching theme, "Information sovereignty of AES states: issues, challenges, and common strategy to combat disinformation," the conference aimed to bolster integration, solidarity, and collaborative efforts among the three nations. Discussions focused on critical areas including media governance, strategic communication, and the pursuit of information sovereignty within the region. The establishment of PAREMEC AES marks a concerted step towards a unified approach to media regulation in the Sahel.

A central focus of the PAREMEC AES constitutive conference was the urgent need to address disinformation and the evolving landscape of digital media. Deliberations extensively covered the challenges posed by social networks, strategies for conflict prevention in the Sahel, and the importance of fact-checking mechanisms. A key objective identified was the harmonisation of institutional and legal frameworks governing media and communication across the member states, aiming to create a more coherent regulatory environment.

Participants issued several recommendations to the governments of the AES, emphasizing the necessity of providing robust technical and financial resources to national media and communication regulatory bodies. This support is deemed crucial for effectively combating what was termed an "information war." Furthermore, the conference urged governments to continue adapting legislative and regulatory texts to ensure effective oversight of both traditional and digital media, and to work towards harmonizing regulatory norms and practices.

Recommendations were also directed at the media and communication regulatory authorities themselves. These included acquiring advanced tools and infrastructure for monitoring and controlling audiovisual and digital content, fostering the professionalization of media actors across both traditional and digital platforms, and rethinking regulatory models for audiovisual and online media services. The emphasis was on promoting networked action among regulators to address the globalized nature of digital platforms and ensure comprehensive information sovereignty AES.

The formation of PAREMEC AES signals a significant strategic shift in Sahel media governance, with a clear mandate to enhance regional stability through controlled information environments. Mr. Gaoussou Coulibaly, in his new capacity as President of the AES media regulators platform, articulated a vision where synergistic action among regulators would more effectively counter disinformation and contribute to a healthier confederal media space. He highlighted that the platform's ambition is to sanitize media environments at a time when AES states, in their pursuit of sovereignty, face numerous adversities, including "media lynching, disinformation, and propaganda for destabilization."

The conference also called upon confederal media outlets to actively participate in this strategic endeavor. They were encouraged to deconstruct narratives perceived as unfavorable to the sovereignist vision of the AES states. This involves developing programs specifically adapted to the current geostrategic and security context of the region, and promoting national languages in the production and dissemination of information. This holistic approach underscores a commitment to shaping public discourse and reinforcing regional identity amidst complex challenges.

The formation of PAREMEC AES signals a concerted effort by AES states to harmonize media and communication regulations, particularly concerning disinformation and digital platforms. Lawyers and compliance officers advising media, tech, or telecommunications clients operating in Mali, Niger, or Burkina Faso should closely monitor PAREMEC AES's initiatives for new legislative proposals, regulatory guidelines, or enforcement actions that could impact their clients' operations and compliance obligations.

Source: Original reporting via AIB