“Burkina Faso’s military ruler, Captain Ibrahim Traore, has become the new Chairman of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). He took over the rotating presidency from Mali’s military leader, General Assimi Goita, during the 2nd Ordinary Session of the College of Heads of State summit held in Bamako on Tuesday, December 23.

The summit brought together the three AES leaders: General Assimi Goita (Mali), Captain Ibrahim Traore (Burkina Faso), and General Abdourahamane Tiani (Niger). In his remarks, Traore warned of a severe West African instability, which he called a “Black Winter” that he blamed on “imperialists” who sponsor militant groups to further destabilize the region.”