Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, flanked by junta chiefs from Mali and Burkina Faso, declared that their nations are “irrevocably” severing ties with the West African bloc, ECOWAS. This marks the first meeting of the three leaders to solidify an alliance formed in defiance of neighboring countries’ opposition.
Soldiers have seized power in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger through coups from 2020 to 2023. These countries, now forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have been plagued by jihadist violence, a key justification for the military takeovers.
In January, the three nations announced plans to withdraw from ECOWAS, which is convening its own summit on Sunday. During Saturday’s meeting in Niamey, Niger’s capital, Gen Tchiani emphasized the desire to establish a community of sovereign peoples “far from the control of foreign powers,” aiming for “peace, solidarity, and prosperity based on our African values.”
Gen Tchiani hosted the talks with Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traoré and Mali’s Colonel Assimi Goïta. Capt Traoré stated, “Together, we will consolidate the foundations of our true independence,” while condemning the imperialist view of Africa as “the empire of slaves.”
High on the agenda is security cooperation, but the AES alliance also seeks closer economic ties, including the creation of a common currency, rejecting the France-backed CFA Franc used across the region. All three countries have expelled French soldiers who were part of an anti-jihadist mission, turning instead to Russia for military support. Calls for greater sovereignty and a rejection of former colonial powers have been central to the junta leaders’ rhetoric.
The countries have also resisted ECOWAS’s demands for a swift return to civilian rule. Capt Traoré arrived in Niamey a day before the meeting to a warm reception, with cheering crowds waving Nigerien and Burkinabé flags. Among them was Sidi Mohamed, head of the National Youth Council, who expressed pride in an African-led summit focused on self-reliant development without foreign intervention.
Col Goïta arrived on Saturday, completing the trio of leaders at the summit. The wider West African bloc’s presidents will respond at a heads of state meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, on Sunday, where they are expected to announce the activation of a standby force to combat regional insecurity.
Over the past decade, the Sahel has increasingly been targeted by Islamic State militants, causing widespread instability. Despite their efforts, the juntas in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have been unable to quell the ongoing violence.
