By HAN News Desk
OUAGADOUGOU — The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) on Thursday strongly condemned what it described as a U.S. military operation carried out on Venezuelan territory, accusing Washington of violating international law and undermining global stability.
In a statement released from Ouagadougou, the regional bloc said it was “deeply alarmed” by reports of a military action allegedly conducted by the United States in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, an operation the alliance claims resulted in the illegal abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
The AES said any use of military force by one state against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another constitutes an unacceptable interference in internal affairs and amounts to an act of aggression under international law.
“The Alliance of Sahel States, firmly committed to the defense of sovereignty and territorial integrity, strongly condemns this serious act, which clearly violates international law and the fundamental principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter,” the statement said.
The alliance also criticized what it called the unilateral use of military force, expressing particular concern that such actions were allegedly carried out by a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. According to the AES, this sets a dangerous precedent and further weakens the international rules-based order.
“This behavior gravely undermines the credibility of the international system and carries serious consequences for global peace and stability,” the statement warned.
As part of its response, the AES called on the U.N. Security Council to fully assume its responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. The bloc urged the council to formally condemn the alleged U.S. military action and to work toward restoring respect for international legality.
The alliance also reaffirmed its commitment to a multipolar international order based on mutual respect, equality among sovereign states and strict adherence to the principles of the U.N. Charter.
In addition, the AES expressed full solidarity with the Venezuelan people, saying their country’s sovereignty had been violated by what it described as an act of aggression.
The statement was signed by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President of Burkina Faso and current Chair of the Alliance of Sahel States.
The AES is a regional alliance formed by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The bloc has increasingly positioned itself as a vocal critic of Western military involvement and foreign intervention, particularly by the United States and France, while strengthening ties with non-Western partners.
There was no immediate response from U.S. officials to the allegations raised in the AES statement.
