Alliance of the Sahel states strengthens joint military cooperation against jihadist threats
The Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—collectively known as the Alliance of the Sahel States (AES)—are governed by military juntas that seized power through coups between 2020 and 2023. These regimes emphasize sovereign policies and have distanced themselves from Western influence.
On Monday, Malian junta leader Assimi Goïta hosted his Nigerien counterpart, General Abdourahamane Tiani, in Bamako. The Burkinabé junta head, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, is expected to arrive on Tuesday to continue the two-day summit, according to Malian officials.
The primary agenda item is advancing plans for a joint military force to counter the escalating threat posed by jihadist groups operating across the region. On Saturday, Mali’s President Assimi Goïta presented a banner to the AES Unified Force (FU-AES), marking its official activation as a multinational strategic unit. However, this milestone remains largely symbolic, with no confirmed timeline for full operational deployment.
Jihadist insurgencies, linked to Al-Qaida and the Islamic State, have plagued the Sahel for over a decade, destabilizing the region despite military efforts. Recent attacks have expanded southward in Mali, crippling the landlocked nation’s economy through targeted assaults on critical infrastructure. Neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger face similar challenges, as insurgents undermine central authority and displace thousands of civilians.
A Malian defense ministry official told AFP: «We’ve allocated the necessary resources. Each country has contributed troops and equipment. We will stand together on the ground.»
During the summit, Goïta and Tiani also inaugurated the Television AES headquarters, though its launch date remains undisclosed. Additionally, delegates are expected to formalize plans for a shared investment bank, headquartered in Bamako.
The AES nations have severed ties with France—their former colonial power—and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), instead seeking partnerships with alternative allies such as Russia.
