Alliance of Sahel States: Military leaders of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali agree to form confederation

Leaders of the military regimes of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger conducted their first joint summit and announced the formation of a confederation of three Sahel states. The summit took place in the Nigerien capital of Niamey.

In a joint statement after the summit, the leaders of the three nations stated that they would release a treaty to formalise the confederation. The military regimes came to power in the three nations after they staged military coups within their respective nations.

“This summit marks a decisive step for the future of our common space. Together, we will consolidate the foundations of our true independence, a guarantee of true peace and sustainable development through the creation of the ‘Alliance of Sahel States’ Confederation,’” Capt. Ibrahim Traore, the leader of Burkina Faso, wrote on X, formally known as Twitter.

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Aux côtés de mes pairs, leurs Excellences le Général TIANI et le Colonel GOITA, je prends part, ce samedi 6 juillet 2024 à Niamey, au 1er sommet des pays membres de l'Alliance des Etats du Sahel (AES).

Ce sommet marque une étape déterminante pour l’avenir de notre espace… pic.twitter.com/KSPlMYT33h

— Capitaine Ibrahim TRAORÉ (@CapitaineIb226) July 6, 2024

The summit marks their departure from ECOWAS

Many believe that the controversial summit indicated their departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In the past, the three leaders said that they would leave the Western African coalition by this year, despite frequent efforts at reconciliation by the bloc.

The ties between the ECOWAS and the three Sahel nations deteriorated after General Abdourahamane Tiani ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in a coup in Niger, last year. Immediately after the Niger coup, ECOWAS imposed sanctions on the African nation and threatened to intervene. The threat is what many believe irritated the trio.

“The AES (Alliance of Sahel States) is full of enormous natural potential which, if properly exploited, will guarantee a better future for the people of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso," said Traore.

The three countries have a combined population of 72 million and the new alliance can be a concern for other neighbouring nations. Within the confederation, the three nations are expected to cooperate on security issues and form closer economic ties.

With inputs from agencies.