The AES countries are holding their first summit on Saturday, July 6, in Niamey, Niger.

The heads of the military regimes of Mali and Burkina Faso are expected in the Nigerien capital today, Friday.

This historic summit will mark the official activation of the AES, a regional organization created by the three countries to pool their efforts to combat insecurity and promote socio-economic development in the Sahel region.

Etsey Atisu has more in the following report.