OUAGADOUGOU: The organizing committee of the first summer university of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) reported a successful event, held in Ziniaré, Burkina Faso, drawing 251 young volunteers from Burkina, Mali, and Niger. The Circle of Actions for Economic and Social Development of Burkina Faso (CADES-BF) shared their positive assessment on Thursday, emphasizing the collective commitment of diverse social groups towards nation-building. According to Burkina Information Agency, the president of the organizing committee, Ibrahim Belem, expressed satisfaction with the engagement demonstrated by various social classes, including administrative and customary authorities and youth. He highlighted the event as a platform for meaningful interaction and experience sharing among young people and authorities. Mr. Belem noted that the initiative allowed the youth to reinforce their support for AES's objectives, underscored by a motion of support for the three heads of state. The recommendations from the university emphasized the denunciation of destabilization attempts and the inclusion of researchers in defining new strategic directions for the alliance's member states. The organizing committee announced plans for the summer universities to occur biannually, rotating between the member states of the Alliance of Sahel States. The inaugural AES summer university, themed "The imperative commitment of AES youth for real nation building," took place from September 25 to 27, 2024. The subsequent session is set for March 2025 in Bamako, Mali.