Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have taken a significant step towards enhancing regional security by establishing the Sahel Security Alliance. The three countries signed a mutual defense pact on Saturday, solidifying their commitment to cooperate against threats of armed rebellion or external aggression.
The Alliance of Sahel States, also known as the Liptako-Gourma charter, binds the signatories to provide assistance to one another, including military support, in the event of an attack on any of the member countries. The charter also emphasizes the importance of preventing and resolving armed rebellions.
![Soldiers from Burkina Faso patrol on the road of Gorgadji in sahel area, Burkina Faso March 3, 2019. [File: Luc Gnago/Reuters]](https://titapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/niger-2-300x200.webp)
The Sahel region, particularly the Liptako-Gourma area where the borders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger meet, has been plagued by armed rebellion in recent years. The alliance seeks to address the security challenges faced by these countries and strengthen their ability to counter terrorist groups operating in the region.
All three countries were previously members of the France-supported G5 Sahel alliance joint force, which also included Chad and Mauritania. The G5 Sahel alliance was established in 2017 to combat armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS. However, since 2020, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have experienced political instability, including military coups, which strained their relationship with France.
As a result, France has withdrawn its troops from Mali and Burkina Faso, and tensions have risen between France and the military authorities in Niger. The regional bloc ECOWAS had threatened military intervention in Niger following the coup, but the rhetoric has since been toned down.
The establishment of the Sahel Security Alliance marks a significant development in the region’s security landscape. By joining forces, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso aim to enhance their collective defense capabilities and effectively address the persistent security threats they face. The alliance also highlights the countries’ determination to take ownership of their security and work together to ensure stability in the Sahel region.