The Alliance of Sahel States has taken a significant step towards regional autonomy, with the military leaders of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso holding high-level talks in Bamako. The second edition of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) summit aims to strengthen cooperation within the alliance and reduce reliance on the West African regional bloc, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The summit focuses on key areas such as defense and security, development, communication, and counterterrorism efforts across the three states. The meeting brings together President of Mali Assimi Goïta, Niger’s President Abdourahamane Tchiani, and Burkinabe President Ibrahim Traoré, who joined the summit on Tuesday morning after an unexpected delay. The three countries formed an alliance in 2023 and withdrew from ECOWAS last year, following fallout with Western partners after military coups.
In a significant development, the three states officially announced the creation of a joint military force to fight terrorism in the region ahead of the summit. The joint force is expected to enhance regional security and combat terrorist activities. On Tuesday, the three leaders also launched the Alliance of Sahel States TV broadcaster, which aims to counter disinformation and promote the bloc’s interests.
The AES summit is also expected to name a new head of the alliance, following President Goïta’s appointment as president of the alliance at last year’s summit. Despite their withdrawal from ECOWAS, the three countries remain open to benefiting from certain bloc privileges, including trade. However, they have taken steps to assert autonomy by introducing their own travel documents for citizens.
The three countries are still members of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, which guarantees continued trade and free movement of goods among its eight members. The development is significant, as it marks a shift towards greater regional autonomy and cooperation among the three Sahel states. As the alliance continues to evolve, it is likely to have significant implications for regional security, trade, and cooperation in West Africa.