Alliance of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso Redefines the Sahel

A New Alliance in the Sahel

The President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore, was welcomed by the President of Mali, General Assimi Goita, during the second summit of the Sahel States Alliance (AES) held in Bamako, Mali, on December 23, 2025. This alliance was formed in 2023 when Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, all led by military governments, united to reaffirm their sovereignty. Following two coups in 2020 and 2021, Mali severed ties with its former colonizer, France, and expelled French forces.

On December 31, 2025, the leaders of the three countries convened again in Bamako for the AES Confederal Summit. Here, initiatives such as the establishment of a Sahel Investment and Development Bank were presented, aimed at funding infrastructure projects without relying on Western creditors. Additionally, the formation of a joint military force was announced to operate across borders against armed groups.

Context of Regional Tensions

The Sahel region is facing a rise in violence from armed groups, with JNIM, an al-Qaeda affiliate, posing a significant threat by attacking not only Mali but also neighboring areas. Although daily life continues in Bamako, the city has been subjected to blockades imposed by armed groups that began controlling trade routes and fuel supplies. Citizens wait patiently in line at gas stations, amidst rumors that authorities have secretly negotiated with the combatants.

A New Beginning for the Sahel People

In the Sahel Alliance Square, young people enthusiastically responded to questions regarding the leaders of the alliance, signaling an effort to cultivate loyalty and unity. “They have come together to become one country, to help each other, and to fight against a common enemy,” said Moussa Niare, a young resident of Bamako. This new alliance is perceived as an opportunity to reclaim sovereignty and improve regional conditions, against a backdrop of diminishing French influence.

The alliance has promised closer cooperation in facing current challenges, with prospects for new infrastructure projects and discussions of a common currency. However, critics highlight the risks of power concentration and lack of accountability, questioning the sustainability of this union.