The leaders of three West African military governments will be meeting together for the first time today, to cement an alliance that started in the face of opposition from neighbouring countries.
Military officers had taken power in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in a series of coups that took place from 2020 to 2023.
The three countries – which are now known as the Alliance of Sahel States – have been affected by jihadist violence.
In January, all three nations revealed a plan to leave the wider regional bloc ECOWAS, which is holding its own summit on Sunday.
For Saturday’s meeting in the Nigerien capital, Niamey, the junta chiefs are expected to formally establish the alliance, known by its French acronym, AES.
Niger’s coup leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, is hosting the talks, together with Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traoré and Mali’s Colonel Assimi Goïta.
Security co-operation is high on the meeting’s agenda, but the AES will be looking towards forming closer economic ties, including the aim of creating a common currency. This would be a rejection of the French-backed CFA Franc, which is used in many states across the region.
All three countries have ‘thrown out’ French soldiers who were there as part of an anti-jihadist mission and gravitated towards Russia for military aid.
The demands for greater sovereignty and a rejection of the former colonial power have been a key part of the rhetoric coming from the junta leaders.
The trio have also shunned calls from ECOWAS for a rapid return to civilian rule.
Capt. Traoré had arrived in Niamey a day ahead of the meeting while Col. Goïta arrived on Saturday.
The presidents of the wider West African bloc will be responding to this latest development at a heads of state meeting in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on Sunday.
Why It Matters
The decision by all three countries (Niger, Burkinafaso, Mali) to exit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) underscores their desire for greater autonomy. ECOWAS, which is holding its own summit, will likely respond to this development. The departure signals a shift in regional dynamics and will most likely, compel a re-evaluation of the existing blocs.
