Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger forge new defense alliance against rising jihadist violence
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, united under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), are governed by military juntas that seized power through coups between 2020 and 2023. These regimes have adopted a sovereignist stance, distancing themselves from Western influence and prioritizing regional security cooperation.
Military cooperation takes center stage in Bamako summit
On Monday, Malian junta leader Assimi Goïta hosted his Nigerien counterpart, General Abdourahamane Tiani, in Bamako. Meanwhile, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, leader of Burkina Faso’s military government, arrived on Tuesday for the second day of discussions, according to Malian officials.
The three nations are advancing plans for a joint military force to counter the escalating threat of jihadist groups operating across their borders. On Saturday, Goïta presented a banner to the Unified AES Force (FU-AES), marking what authorities describe as the “official activation” of this multinational initiative—though operational details remain undisclosed.
Jihadist expansion threatens regional stability
For over a decade, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have battled insurgencies linked to Al-Qaida and the Islamic State, yet militants continue to gain ground. Recent offensives have pushed jihadist activity deeper into southern Mali, where attacks are crippling the landlocked nation’s economy. Neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger also face relentless assaults, displacing thousands of civilians and straining local governance.
A Malian defense ministry official told reporters, “We’ve allocated the necessary resources. Each country has contributed troops and equipment, and we’ll stand united on the battlefield.”
Beyond security: economic and media integration
The AES summit also saw the inauguration of Télévision AES, though its launch date remains unannounced. Additionally, leaders are set to formalize plans for a shared investment bank with headquarters in Bamako, signaling deeper economic collaboration.
This push for unity reflects a broader shift away from traditional partners like France and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Instead, the AES bloc has forged closer ties with Russia and other global actors to bolster its strategic autonomy.
