In a significant strategic development, military leaders from Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have recently collaborated to establish a unified force designed to counteract security threats pervasive across their territories. This decision follows a pronounced shift in allegiance by the three West African nations away from longstanding military ties, notably with France, in favour of a cooperative framework known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
This formidable joint force is poised to confront the escalating security challenges gripping the central Sahel region, exacerbated by a protracted confrontation with Islamist factions affiliated with both Al Qaeda and the Islamic State. The past decade has witnessed an intensification of this conflict, particularly since the military takeovers in the aforementioned countries between 2020 and 2023. The year 2023 marked a distressing pinnacle, with conflict-related fatalities surging by 38%, as reported by the US-based crisis-monitoring group ACLED. Disturbingly, Burkina Faso alone recorded over 8,000 casualties.
Niger’s Chief of Armed Forces, Moussa Salaou Barmou, announced the formation of this joint force in a televised statement, affirming its swift operational readiness to tackle the prevailing security challenges. Although details regarding the force’s size and specific mandate were not disclosed, Barmou iterated that the three nations had reached a consensus to formulate an “operational concept” geared towards achieving their collective defence and security objectives.
This collaborative initiative signifies a broader trend of convergence between Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, exemplified by their deliberate disentanglement from historical alliances, particularly with former colonial power France. This diplomatic realignment gained momentum with the establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States, underscoring a commitment to enhanced cooperation and mutual support. Furthermore, the trio declared their intent to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc, in January, demonstrating a concerted effort to forge an autonomous path.
ECOWAS, in response to the series of military coups that unfolded between 2020 and 2023, has imposed sanctions on the three nations for unseating democratically elected governments. The discontent leading to these coups was, in part, fuelled by public frustration with civilian administrations perceived as ineffectual in countering the violence perpetrated by jihadist insurgents affiliated with Al-Qaeda and Daesh.
The genesis of the jihadist insurgency dates back to 2012 when a revolt erupted in northern Mali, subsequently spreading to Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015. This region has since become a crucible of violence, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of millions. The joint force initiative arises against this backdrop of persistent turmoil, seeking to address the pressing security exigencies that have eluded resolution through traditional means.
In the absence of explicit details on the size and scope of the joint force, one can infer that the three nations are aligning themselves with a cooperative security strategy that emphasises shared responsibility. Barmou’s emphasis on the expeditious operationalisation of the force underscores the immediacy of the security threats faced by the central Sahel region. The operational concept, still in development, is likely to articulate the specific strategies and mechanisms through which the joint force will fulfil its defence and security objectives.
The geopolitical implications of this alignment towards a non-traditional security partnership, particularly with France’s waning influence, warrant careful consideration. The strategic pivot towards Russia, evident in the diplomatic overtures made by Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, adds an additional layer of complexity to the evolving geopolitical landscape in the region.
In conclusion, the establishment of a joint force by Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali reflects a pivotal moment in the security dynamics of the central Sahel region. This collaborative initiative, born out of a recalibration of diplomatic alliances and a response to escalating jihadist violence, signals a determined effort to foster regional autonomy in addressing shared security challenges. The efficacy of this joint force will undoubtedly shape the geopolitical trajectory of the central Sahel, with implications extending beyond the immediate security context.
