Three West African countries led by military juntas have announced their intention to establish a joint force to combat threats by jihadist.
Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have jointly announced the establishment of a military force following discussions held in Niger’s capital, Niamey. The force aims to address the escalating security threats posed by groups affiliated with Islamic State and al-Qaeda, which have resulted in numerous casualties in the region over the past year.
Niger’s army chief, Moussa Salaou Barmou, declared that the force would become operational as soon as possible, although specific details regarding its size were not disclosed.
The military regimes of the three countries have strengthened their alliance in recent months, culminating in the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States last September. This mutual defence pact marks a significant development as the countries withdrew from the international force known as G5, originally established to combat Islamist extremism in the region.
The escalation of violence in West Africa’s Sahel region has continued despite the assurances from the military governments to address the longstanding conflict with jihadist groups. In a significant shift, the three countries—Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—have severed their ties with France, their former colonial power, which previously maintained a robust military presence across the Sahel region.
Furthermore, Mali’s leaders have ordered the United Nations peacekeeping mission, Minusma, to withdraw “without delay,” a mission that had been in place for over a decade. The withdrawal was completed in December, marking a significant change in the region’s security landscape.
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In response to these shifts, the military regimes in the Sahel have strengthened their ties with Russia, which has emerged to fill the void left by France’s departure. Additionally, the countries have announced their intention to leave the West African economic bloc, the Economic Community of West African States, signaling a realignment of regional alliances and dynamics in the Sahel.
The decision by Mali’s leaders to order the United Nations peacekeeping mission, Minusma, to withdraw “without delay” marks a significant shift in the region’s security dynamics. The withdrawal, completed in December, underscores the changing relationships and priorities within the Sahel.
In response to these developments, the military regimes in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have deepened their ties with Russia, which has stepped in to fill the void left by the departure of French forces. This strategic realignment reflects evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Sahel region.
Furthermore, the decision to leave the ECOWAS underscores the growing divergence between the military regimes and regional institutions. While the countries had already been suspended from ECOWAS, the bloc had been urging a swift return to democratic governance and had imposed travel and economic sanctions as pressure tactics.
However, recent moves by ECOWAS to lift or ease some of these sanctions signal a renewed push for dialogue and engagement with the military regimes. Despite the easing of sanctions, the fundamental issue of restoring democratic governance remains a key concern for regional stability and security in the Sahel.
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