Sahel states move closer toward a unified military force
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, all members of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), inch closer to a unified military force after positive talks were allegedly held in Niger’s capital, Niamey.
As reported by Telquel on August 12th, military officers from all three nations in the Sahel were apparently in attendance at the conference where the alliance finalised texts, procedures, and systems, purportedly reaching a decisive stage in establishing a fulling operational unified military force.
The meeting signified “the materialisation of a common vision supported by the highest authorities of the three countries to protect populations and territories against terrorism, foreign interference and similar threats,” as said by a Nigerien military source, although not independently verified.
The AES was formed after Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso collectively left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and signed the Liptako-Gourma Charter on September 16th, 2024, after policy disputes. The charter is said to reassure mutual defence and assistance for the populations of all members in the alliance.
Since its inception, the AES has seen a strengthened sense of solidarity between the three nations. For example, as Maghrebi reported, the alliance launched its new national anthem, “Sahel Benkan,” a symbolic milestone in the unity of the Sahel bloc.
They have also moved forward together economically, with their recent plans to shift away from the CFA franc through creating a new currency, and more notably, the establishment of a new bank.
However, despite the positives, the alliance still faces serious challenges. The escalating threat from jihadist groups across all three member states has strained both their populations and militaries, which may explain the significance of their shift in focus toward a unified force.
The Sahel triangle, where the borders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso all intersect, has been plagued by Islamist militant groups, often affiliated with ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
Mali has seen persistent attacks on major cities. Timbuktu was the victim of twin attacks on June 1st, where Al-Qaeda-linked gunmen conducted an assault on one of its military bases. Kayes has also been targeted, where, in a separate assault, a Chinese construction firm reported that their infrastructure in the city was set ablaze, delaying key building projects.
Mali has recently strengthened ties with Russia in an attempt to alleviate some of the pressure. Originally Wagner-mercenaries, now replaced by the Russian-owned Africa Corps, are said to have around 2000 troops in the country.
As for Burkina Faso, terrorist group JNIM has been its most notable source of strain; the group attacked the University of Fada N’Gourma, killing security forces and destroying construction equipment. Furthermore, in a more recent assault, the same group attacked a military base in the northern region of the country, reportedly causing 50 casualties for the Burkinabe military.
Ibrahim Traore has sought deeper ties with Afghanistan, hoping an alliance might help deter these attacks, as many of the jihadists align with the Taliban.
Although Niger has seemingly suffered less at the hands of jihadists than its Sahel counterparts, they have still seen its fair share of issues. For example, hundreds of armed militants on motorbikes and in vehicles attacked the town of Banibangou, killing at least 34 soldiers.
With outside help evidently falling short, a unified force could be the answer that finally subdues the relentless jihadist threat in the Sahel.
Telquel, Maghrebi.org
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