In a strategic move following their departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, currently under junta-led governments, have unveiled plans to establish a confederation aimed at strengthening their regional ties.
The announcement came via a statement from the Malian foreign ministry on Thursday, disclosing the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) by the three neighboring nations in the Sahel region.
Having declared their intention to withdraw from ECOWAS in January, despite calls from the regional bloc to reconsider, the ministers from these countries reiterated their commitment to the withdrawal during a meeting in the Burkinabe capital of Ouagadougou, as reported by Reuters.
“The trio reaffirmed their commitment to advancing resolutely in the process of implementing the AES and creating the Tri-State Confederation,” stated the Malian foreign ministry in an online post.
While specific details regarding the operational framework of the proposed confederation remain undisclosed, particularly concerning the alignment of political, economic, and security interests, the move underscores the shared challenges faced by these countries, particularly in combating the insurgency of Islamist militants that has plagued the subregion.
In November 2023, the finance ministers of the three nations had signaled a potential monetary union, with officials from all three expressing varying degrees of support for moving away from the West African CFA franc common currency.
The decision by the junta-led governments to sever longstanding military ties with France, their former colonial ruler, has further complicated the regional dynamics, impacting international efforts to combat militants affiliated with al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, also serving as ECOWAS Chairman, has encountered obstacles in his attempts to restore democratic governance in the affected countries. Despite sending delegations, including former military leader Abdulsalam Abubakar and Benin Republic President Patrice Talon, opposition to Tinubu’s efforts persists.
The junta-led transitions in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have marked significant upheavals in recent years. Niger witnessed a coup d’état on July 26, 2023, Burkina Faso experienced military takeover on September 30, 2022, and Mali underwent a coup d’état in 2021. These political shifts have reshaped the regional landscape, setting the stage for the proposed confederation among the three nations.
