The military rulers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have formed a new regional bloc, the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The leaders signed a treaty on Saturday during their inaugural summit in Niamey, marking a step towards greater integration among the three nations.
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The formation of AES comes after the three countries, each led by military governments established through coups in recent years, announced their departure from ECOWAS in January. They criticized ECOWAS as being under the influence of France, their former colonial power, and have since ceased military and defense ties with France in favor of enhancing relations with Russia.
The summit concluded with the adoption of a treaty that officially established the AES, encompassing a combined population of approximately 72 million people. The AES countries have also established a joint military force in March to enhance their defense capabilities against ongoing jihadist threats in their territories.
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The summit focused on strategic cooperation in critical sectors such as agriculture, water, energy, and transport, with plans to integrate these areas more closely among the member states. Additionally, the promotion of indigenous languages in local media was discussed, reflecting a broader aim to foster cultural and social cohesion within the AES.
The creation of AES has strained relations with ECOWAS, particularly following the imposition of sanctions and military intervention threats by ECOWAS after the coup in Niger in July 2023. Although sanctions were lifted in February, the atmosphere remains tense. ECOWAS is scheduled to discuss the implications of AES and future relations at a leaders’ summit in Abuja on Sunday.
