Mali Niger Burkina Faso launch joint military force against jihadists

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso unite to form a joint military alliance

The Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso—collectively known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—are governed by military juntas that seized power through coups between 2020 and 2023. These regimes advocate sovereign policies and have distanced themselves from Western influence, prioritizing regional autonomy in security and governance.

summit in Bamako advances joint military cooperation

On Monday, Assimi Goïta, Mali’s junta leader, welcomed General Abdourahamane Tiani, his Nigerien counterpart, in Bamako. Meanwhile, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso’s military leader, arrived on Tuesday for the second day of the summit, as confirmed by Malian officials.

A key agenda item was the establishment of a joint armed force to counter the growing threat posed by jihadist groups across the region. On Saturday, President Goïta formally presented a banner to the Unified Force of the AES (FU-AES), marking its official activation as a multinational security initiative. However, authorities have yet to announce a concrete timeline for its operational deployment.

ongoing jihadist insurgency fuels regional instability

For over a decade, Al-Qaida and Islamic State-affiliated factions have waged relentless attacks in these nations, destabilizing security and economies. In recent months, militants have intensified operations in southern Mali, crippling trade and pushing civilians toward displacement. Neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger also face escalating violence, with extremist groups emboldening local uprisings and displacing thousands.

A Malian defense ministry official stated, «We’ve mobilized the necessary resources. Each country has contributed troops and equipment. We will stand together on the ground.»

expanding regional partnerships beyond western alliances

The AES nations, which have severed ties with France and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), are seeking alternative alliances. Notably, they have strengthened cooperation with Russia, reflecting a broader shift toward new geopolitical alignments in the Sahel.

During the summit, leaders also approved plans for a joint investment bank headquartered in Bamako, though no launch date was disclosed. Additionally, they inaugurated the «Télévision AES» broadcasting headquarters, although its broadcast schedule remains undisclosed.