In Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, military juntas that seized power through coups between 2020 and 2023 now lead the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Their leadership champions sovereignty-first policies and has distanced these nations from Western influence, including former colonial power France and the regional bloc ECOWAS.

High-level summit in Bamako to advance joint defense initiatives

On Monday, Malian junta leader Assimi Goïta hosted his Nigerien counterpart, General Abdourahamane Tiani, in Bamako. The meeting marks the first day of a critical summit aimed at accelerating the formation of a unified military force to counter escalating jihadist violence across their borders.

Captain Ibrahim Traoré, head of the Burkinabé junta, is expected to join the discussions on Tuesday, according to Malian government sources. The three leaders are expected to finalize plans for a joint military force intended to combat the spread of Al-Qaeda– and ISIS-affiliated militant groups operating in the region.

During the summit, Assimi Goïta presented a standard to the Unified AES Force (FU-AES), a symbolic gesture marking the formal activation of this multinational defense framework. However, officials have yet to announce a concrete timeline for its operational deployment.

Jihadist insurgency spreads across the Sahel

For over a decade, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have faced relentless attacks by armed factions linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS, with limited success in containing the threat. Recently, militants have intensified operations in southern Mali, crippling the landlocked nation’s economy by targeting critical infrastructure and supply routes.

In neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, jihadist groups continue to challenge central authorities, forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes in search of safety. The humanitarian crisis has worsened as communities bear the brunt of violence and economic instability.

A Malian defense ministry official told reporters, “We have allocated the necessary resources. Each country has contributed troops and equipment. We will stand together on the ground.”

Beyond defense: economic and media cooperation on the agenda

The summit also serves as a platform to formalize additional collaborative projects. Leaders are set to approve the establishment of a joint investment bank, headquartered in Bamako, aimed at fostering economic growth across the three nations. While details remain scarce, the initiative reflects the AES’s broader push toward regional integration.

On Monday, Goïta and Tiani inaugurated the headquarters of “AES Television”, a media outlet intended to amplify the alliance’s voice and counter external narratives. The launch date for the channel has not been disclosed.

This gathering underscores the AES’s pivot toward partnerships beyond traditional allies, including deepening ties with Russia and other non-Western actors as part of its sovereignty-driven agenda.