The military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger convened in Niamey and signed a new treaty establishing a “Confederation of Sahel States” (AES) aimed at enhancing integration among their nations.
This follows their decision earlier this year to sever ties with ECOWAS, citing Western influence.
The confederation, which includes about 72 million people, marks a significant geopolitical shift as the countries also ended military cooperation with France in favor of closer ties with Russia.
General Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger’s military government emphasized their departure from ECOWAS, reflecting strained relations following a 2023 coup and subsequent sanctions.
The AES’s formation precedes discussions at ECOWAS’s upcoming summit in Abuja, where the new alliance is expected to feature prominently.
In March, the AES countries had already formed a military alliance to combat regional extremist threats.
