Within the territory of the AES, there are various terrorist and insurgent groups including ISGS, Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, and various separatist groups fighting in Northern Mali such as the Azawad Movement. The war against these groups has been assisted by both French and United States troops, with further assistance from UN peacekeeping forces. In 2024, the AES cut off military relations with Western powers and replaced Western military forces on their territory with Russianmercenaries, specifically the Wagner Group.[9][17] The AES has expressed strong opposition to Ukrainian support of rebels in the Sahel after comments by Ukrainian officials in August 2024 stating they had supported separatists that killed Malian soldiers.[18] The AES has called on the United Nations to take action against Ukraine and accused Ukraine of supporting terrorism in the Sahel. As a result, Mali and Niger have severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine.[19] In response Sweden severed several million Krona of aid to Mali and cut diplomatic ties.[20]
The economic outlook for AES countries is positive (Burkina 5.494%, Mali 3.751%, and Niger 9.869% growth),[22] with Niger becoming the 3rd fastest growing economy in the world and the fastest growing economy in Africa in 2024.[23][24]
A project to set up passport and identity card travel documents between the three member countries of the Alliance of Sahel States is part of a more advanced integration between the member states of the Alliance of Sahel States, before approval of the project by the three heads of state of the member countries.[25]
The Sahel has been the site of an ongoing jihadist insurgency since 2003, which has led to many conflicts in the region, such as the Mali War and the Boko Haram insurgency. All three member states have had their pro-Western civilian governments overthrown by their militaries, and each is ruled by a military junta as part of the Coup Belt.[26] In 2022, Mali withdrew from the internationally backed G5 Sahel alliance. Niger and Burkina Faso did so in 2023, leading to announcement of the dissolution of the framework by its last two members Chad and Mauritania three days later.[4]
All three of the alliance's member states were suspended by ECOWAS shortly after the ouster of their elected governments. After the coup in Niger, ECOWAS threatened to intervene militarily and restore president Bazoum's government, resulting in a regional crisis. The juntas of Mali and Burkina Faso promised military aid to Niger in the event of an intervention, while Guinea's provided diplomatic support. The promises of military aid resulted in the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States as a mutual defense bloc for the three nations, successfully staving off an ECOWAS intervention.[32]
On 28 January 2024, the three countries announced via a joint statement that they were withdrawing from ECOWAS.[33] With the situation in an impasse, later that year ECOWAS appointed three mediators to begin dialogues with the ESA countries and ECOWAS.[34] Soon after, on December 15, 2024, the Conference of Heads of State of ECOWAS adopted an exit transition period for Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, which begins on January 29, 2025 and ends on July 29, 2025.[35][36] The AES has rejected the timetable extension proposed by the ECOWAS for their withdrawal and is adhering to the January 2025 withdrawal timeline.[37]
Formalization of the alliance
Logo of the Alliance of Sahel States.
In May 2024 at a meeting in Niamey, representatives of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger finalized a draft text creating the AES, with its objective to finalize the details of the project before the signature of an official treaty.[38]
On 6 July 2024, at a summit in Niamey, the leaders of the states of the AES signed a confederation treaty to strengthen the existing mutual defense pact, assorted with the release of a 25 point communique.[16][39] This included agreement on a one-year rotating presidency, chaired by one of the leader of the country currently holding the presidency. Assimi Goïta, the current interim president of the republic of Mali, started his term on the same day, and it was agreed that the first joint parliamentary summit of the AES would be hosted in Burkina Faso.[40]
Initiatives
The Alliance of Sahel States has announced various measures towards its stated goals of regional stability, economic independence, and self reliance.[41]
Economic integration
Proposals have been made regarding a common central bank jointly with the introduction of a new currency to replace the CFA franc.[42][43][21] In an effort to boost agricultural and energy self-reliance, joint infrastructure programs are envisioned, and export controls on grain towards the rest of ECOWAS have been implemented.[44][45][46][47]
Joint military force
The AES countries have been increasing transnational coordination in the fight against terrorist groups.[48] In January 2025, a previously announced joint military force was described as being in development by Niger's Minister of Defense Salifou Modi. Modi announced that the force will have 5,000 personnel and will be tasked with fighting Islamist groups across the three countries.[49][50]
Other measures
Roaming charges for telephone communications between the three countries have been abolished.[51][52][53] A joint biometric passport for AES citizens was recently introduced, but is already facing obstacles, with Senegal currently refusing to recognize the passport, putting in question the viability of the scheme.[54][55][56] the establishment of a common passport for the member states of the Sahel Alliance will come into being, from January 29, 2025[57].
The AES countries are resource rich. For example, Niger is among the world's biggest uranium exporters and for many years has been a major uranium exporter to the EU.[60][61]. Niger was among the top 4 providers of uranium to the EU in both 2022 and 2023 according to the Supply Agency of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). [60] In 2022, Niger delivered 2,975 tonnes of natural uranium, or 25.4% of the EU’s supplies, making it the second largest supplier.[62] However, in 2023, shipments dropped by 29.78%, making Niger the 4th largest supplier to the EU.[60] Niger produces just under 5% of all mined uranium worldwide.[63]
Niger was working to begin oil exports to China through the Niger–Benin Oil Pipeline until the efforts were frustrated in early 2024.[64][65] China intervened in May 2024, resulting in the resumption of crude oil exports via the Chinese-funded pipeline.[66] The pipeline was closed again after just one shipment of oil due to damages after a terror attack.[67]
Some major known resources in AES territory include:
Chad has been working to strengthen relationships with AES countries to enhance regional security and counter-terrorism efforts.[71][47] Chad recently ended its defense cooperation agreement with France,[72] signaling a desire to assert its sovereignty and redefine its strategic partnerships.[73] This move aligns Chad with the AES countries, which have also distanced themselves from France.
Guinea
Guinea’s government, like those of the AES states, is the result of a military coup.[74] Guinea has been supportive of the AES and its goals, for example defying border closures imposed by ECOWAS and giving the Sahel states access to its ports. This allowed Mali to receive Russian grain and fertilizer in a time of crisis.[75] President Doumbouya was a member of the French Foreign Legion (a corporal) and therefore took an oath to serve France and protect French interests, before leading the coup that brought him to power in Guinea in 2021.[74] Doumbouya is also married to Lauriane Doumbouya (Darboux), a French woman with a career as a gendarme.[76]
Senegal
Senegal's President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been urging both ECOWAS and the AES states to engage in dialogue and work together to address common challenges such as terrorism, climate change, and poverty.[77]
In November 2024 Senegal decided to ban the new AES passport and close its borders to holders of the Malian NINA ID card. This sparked significant outcry from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, raising questions about regional integration and the future of free movement in West Africa.[78]
Togo
Togo has been actively collaborating with AES member countries on security and economic initiatives.[71] Togo has also launched the Global Peace and Security Alliance (GPSA), an initiative aimed at fostering dialogue and collaboration among various global platforms dedicated to peace and security. This initiative was announced during the Lomé Peace and Security Forum on November 28, 2024. Through this initiative, Togo can further collaborate with the AES as well as other countries.[79] On January 17, 2025, Togo's Foreign Minister Robert Dussey announced that the Togolese government had not ruled out Togo joining the Sahel States Alliance. "It's not impossible," he said[80][81].
The AES and Togo are working to establish an interconnected customs area. This would also allow the landlocked AES countries to use Togo's Lomé port without large tariffs. Use of ports has been a source of tension between the AES and the coastal countries in ECOWAS.[82][83]
Ghana
Ghana's president-elect, John Dramani Mahama, elected on December 7, 2024, has proposed an initiative to support the AES in combating terrorism.[citation needed] He urged neighboring countries and international organizations, like ECOWAS, to address the crisis in the Sahel, which has become a hub for terrorist activity. The Sahel region has seen a rise in terrorist threats from groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, affecting both safety and development.[citation needed] Mahama stated that this instability threatens not only the Sahel but all of West Africa. He called on countries like Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin to play a more active role in supporting the region.[84] Mahama has also decided to seek revised IMF terms to stabilize Ghana’s economy.[85] Mahama's policies mark a pivot from the previous Ghanain administration and Ghaha-AES relations will likely improve under his presidency.[citation needed]
On 18 December, 2024, outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo approved visa free entry for all Africans seeking to come to Ghana starting 6 January, 2025 (one day before the end of his term).[citation needed] This fulfills his pledge made in January 2024 to increase regional integration by introducing visa free travel to Ghana for citizens of all African nations and will make Ghana the 5th African country to allow entry to all holders of African passports. This policy is compatible with both the African union’s African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) and the AES goals of regional integration.[86][87]
On January 21, 2025, Ghana appointed a special envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States, Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, who was tasked with bridging Ghana’s relations with members of the Alliance of Sahel States[88].
Foreign partners
As part of their realignment away from former colonial power France, the nations of the AES have been seeking new partnerships to fill the vacuum left by France's exit. In practice, this has resulted in an intention to increase economic and security cooperation with the nations of the so-called Axis of autocracies, mainly Russia and China, but also Iran and North Korea.[89][90] Russian involvement notably includes a joint satellite program with Roscosmos,[91] and military assistance from the Wagner Group to counter insurgencies.[92] Meanwhile, infrastructure projects are under consideration as a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.[93]
^Most English-language reporting refers to the organization by its French abbreviation, AES, or, occasionally, AoSS
^Bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited.
References
^ ab"The World Factbook". cia.gov. Retrieved 7 June 2024. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: CIA World Factbook
