Wikipedia

Alliance of Sahel States

Not to be confused with Sahel Alliance.

The Alliance of Sahel States (ASS)[4][5][6][a] (French: Alliance des États du Sahel (AES)) is a confederation[9] formed between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. It originated as a mutual defense pact created on 16 September 2023 following the 2023 Nigerien crisis, in which the West African political bloc ECOWAS threatened to intervene militarily to restore civilian rule after a coup in Niger earlier that year.[6][10][11][12] All three member states are former members of ECOWAS and currently under the control of juntas following a string of successful coups, the 2021 Malian coup d'état, the September 2022 Burkina Faso coup d'état, and the 2023 Nigerien coup d'état.[13][14][15] The confederation was established on 6 July 2024. It is against the policy of neocolonialism in Africa and the world.[16] It is also anti-French and anti-ECOWAS in outlook, as it disagrees with many of their policies.[17][18][19]

Alliance des États du Sahel
Alliance of Sahel States
Alliance of Sahel States (red)
Alliance of Sahel States (red)
Largest cityBamako, Mali
Lingua francaFrench
Demonym(s)Sahélien
TypeConfederation
Partner States
Leaders
• President
Assimi Goïta
Establishment6 July 2024
Area
• Total
2,781,392[1] km2 (1,073,901 sq mi) (8th)
• Water (%)
0.74
Population
• 2024 estimate
71,375,590[1] (20th)
• Density
25.7/km2 (66.6/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)2024 estimate
• Total
Int$179.357 billion[2] (81st)
• Per capita
Int$2,513
GDP (nominal)2024 estimate
• Total
US$62.380 billion[2] (88th)
• Per capita
US$874
HDI (2022)0.413
low
CurrencyWest African CFA franc / Sahel (proposed)[3]
Time zoneUTC+0 / +1 (GMT / WAT)
Drives onright

Within the territory of the ASS, there are various terrorist and insurgent groups including ISGS, Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, and various separatist groups fighting in Northern Mali such as the Azawad Movement. The war against these groups has been assisted by both French and United States troops, with further assistance from UN peacekeeping forces. In 2024, the ASS cut off military relations with Western powers and replaced Western military forces on their territory with Russian mercenaries, specifically the Wagner Group.[13][20] The ASS has expressed strong opposition to Ukrainian support of rebels in the Sahel after comments by Ukrainian officials in August 2024 stating they had supported separatists that killed Malian soldiers.[21] The ASS has called on the United Nations to take action against Ukraine and accused Ukraine of supporting terrorism in the Sahel. As a result, Mali and Niger have severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine.[22] In response Sweden severed several million Krona of aid to Mali and cut diplomatic ties.[23]

The confederation's stated goal is to pool resources to build energy and communications infrastructure, establish a common market, implement a monetary union under proposed currency the Sahel, allow free movement of persons, enable industrialization, and invest in agriculture, mines and the energy sector, with the end goal of federalizing into a single sovereign state.[20][3]

A project to set up passport and identity card travel documents between the three member countries of the Alliance of Sahel States is part of a more advanced integration between the member states of the Alliance of Sahel States, before approval of the project by the three heads of state of the member countries.[24]

Background and history

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Map showing areas where the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara operates

The Sahel has been the site of an ongoing jihadist insurgency since 2003, which has led to many conflicts in the region, such as the Mali War and the Boko Haram insurgency. All three member states have had their pro-Western civilian governments overthrown by their militaries, and each is ruled by a military junta as part of the Coup Belt.[25] In 2022, Mali withdrew from the internationally backed G5 Sahel alliance. Niger and Burkina Faso did so in 2023, leading to announcement of the dissolution of the framework by its last two members Chad and Mauritania three days later.[5]

In the 2020 Malian coup d'état, Assimi Goïta and the National Committee for the Salvation of the People seized power in Mali after overthrowing the elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.[26] Goïta later led a second coup in 2021 which deposed the interim president Bah Ndaw who had been nominated to lead a transitional military government.[27]

Just months later, in the 2021 Guinean coup d'état, the National Committee of Reconciliation and Development removed the elected president Alpha Condé and installed Mamady Doumbouya as transitional president.[28] Guinea is not a member of the ASS, but has been offering diplomatic support to the confederation.

A faction of Burkina Faso's military overthrew their existing military government in the September 2022 coup d'état, installing Ibrahim Traoré over Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who had come to power in the January 2022 coup d'état which toppled the democratic government of president Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.[29]

Most recently, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland removed the elected government of Niger's Mohamed Bazoum, installing Abdourahamane Tchiani and a new junta in the 2023 coup d'état.[30]

All three of the alliance's member states were suspended by ECOWAS before announcing their withdrawal from the regional bloc. After the coup in Niger, ECOWAS threatened to intervene militarily and restore president Bazoum's government, which resulted in the Nigerien crisis. The Nigerien government had the backing of Mali and Burkina Faso, which promised military aid to Niger in the event of an intervention, and Guinea, which offered diplomatic support. The promises of military aid resulted in the creation of ASS as a mutual defense bloc for the three nations in an attempt to stave off an ECOWAS intervention.[31] On 28 January 2024, the three countries announced via a joint statement that they were withdrawing from ECOWAS.[32]

In May 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger finalized in Niamey a draft text creating the ASS, its objective is to finalize the project relating to the institutionalization and to the operationalization of ASS.[33]

On 6 July 2024, the military leaders at a summit in Niamey, Niger, signed a confederation treaty to strengthen the existing mutual defense pact. The signing marked the conclusion of the first joint summit of the alliance.[19] Two significant outcomes of the summit were:

1. The naming of colonel Assimi Goïta, head of state of Mali, as president of the new confederation, for a period of one year.

2. The 25-point ASS communique of Saturday, July 6th 2024.[34]

On 15 September 2024, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, announced the creation of a joint investment bank, a television channel and a biometric passport.[35]

On 23 September 2024, ministers from the ASS countries met with officials from Russia's Roscosmos space agency in Bamako, Mali and announced the signing of a five-year strategic satellite deal. As part of the deal, Russia will deploy telecommunications and remote sensing satellites above the three nations. The technology is to boost border surveillance and national security in all three countries and facilitate TV, internet, and telephone service to inaccessible and underdeveloped areas.[36]

On 22 November 2024, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger signed a memorandum of understanding on the end of roaming charges for telephone communications between the three countries.[37]

ASS member states
Country Capital Official
language 		Population

(thousands)

Area

(km2)

GDP

(US$ bn)

GDP (PPP)

(Int$ bn)

TFR HDI
  Burkina Faso Ouagadougou Various 23,042 272,967 10.678 66.910 4.5 0.438
  Mali Bamako Various 21,990 1,240,192 12.747 65.413 5.7 0.410
  Niger Niamey French 26,342 1,267,000 7.143 47.024 6.6 0.394
[38] 71,374 2,780,159 30.568 179.347 5.6 0.413

Resources

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The ASS countries are resource rich. For example, Niger is among the world's biggest uranium exporters and for many years has been a major uranium exporter to the EU.[39] In 2021, Niger produced just under 5% of all mined uranium worldwide. Niger was working to begin oil exports to China through the Niger–Benin Oil Pipeline until the efforts were frustrated in early 2024.[40][41] China intervened in May 2024, resulting in the resumption of crude oil exports via the Chinese-funded pipeline.[42] The pipeline was closed again after just one shipment of oil due to damages after a terror attack.[43]

Some major known resources in ASS territory include:

Country Natural Resources[38] Other Resources
Niger uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum
Burkina Faso gold, manganese, zinc, limestone, marble, phosphates, pumice, salt cotton
Mali gold, lithium,[44] phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower[b] cotton[45]

Partners

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The ASS has been taking actions to diminish the influence and control of former colonial power France over its resources, territory, diplomatic relations, and trade. It has been seeking new partnerships and deals to fill the vacuum left by France's exit.

Some ASS partners include:

Date Country Announcement
2023/12/4 Russia Niger announced strengthening of military cooperation with Russia.[46]
2024/7/17 Turkey Turkey's foreign, defense, and energy ministers met with their counterparts in Niger to discuss new deals in the areas of security and defense, trade, energy, and mining. [47]
2024/7/23 Togo The ASS and Togo are working to establish an interconnected customs area. This would also allow the landlocked ASS countries to use Togo's Lomé port without large tariffs. Use of ports has been a source of tension between the ASS and the coastal countries in ECOWAS.[48] [49]
2024/9/5 China ASS president Goïta met with Burkina Faso's Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela and Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine of Niger on the sidelines of 9th Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and agreed to deepen ties with China. The leaders discussed cooperation on economic and security developments, focusing on Chinese investments in key sectors. The Malian junta leader and ASS president signed a military equipment contract with a Chinese firm. The ASS leaders aim to consolidate their joint organization and strengthen bilateral ties, including infrastructure projects under China's Belt and Road Initiative.[50]
2024/09/11 Iran Iran has expressed interest in enhancing relations with Burkina Faso by sharing expertise in security, health, and the economy. Tehran's top diplomat in Ouagadougou, Mojtaba Faghihi, announced plans to establish a pharmaceutical production unit in Burkina Faso and encouraged cooperation between Burkinabe and Iranian banks. Burkina Faso's Economy Minister, Aboubacar Nacanabo, welcomed this cooperation. [51]
2024/09/24 North Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a message to Mali's President Assimi Goïta. Jon Tong Chol, the North Korean envoy, met Mali's chargé d'affaires Mahamane Ousmane in Nigeria the week before to convey the message. Ousmane and Jon reviewed areas of cooperation between Mali and North Korea, including agriculture and health. [52]

Leadership in Alliance of Sahel States Countries

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Country Name Role Start of Term End of Term
Mali Assimi Goïta President of Alliance of Sahel States Confederation 2024 July 6 2025 July 6
Niger Abdourahamane Tchiani President Niger - National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland 2023 July 28 NA
Niger Salifou Modi Vice President Niger - National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland 2023 July 27 NA
Niger Ali Lamine Zeine Prime Minister of Niger 2023 August 8 NA
Burkina Faso Ibrahim Traoré Interim President of Burkina Faso 2022 October 6 NA
Burkina Faso Apollinaire J. Kyélem de Tambèla Interim Prime Minister of Burkina Faso 2022 October 21 NA
Mali Assimi Goïta Interim President of Mali 2021 May 28 NA
Mali Abdoulaye Maïga Prime Minister of Mali 2024 November 21 NA
Mali Choguel Kokalla Maïga Prime Minister of Mali (Former) 2021 June 6 2024 November 21

Stated goals

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The Alliance of Sahel States has taken actions towards its stated goals of regional stability, economic independence, and self-reliance.[53]

1. Regional Stability and Security: The ASS has taken active measures to counter armed groups and foster stability in the region. Joint military operations have resulted in successful actions against terrorist groups, enhancing security.[54][55]

2. Economic Independence: The ASS has made strides towards economic sovereignty by proposing a common central bank with plans for introducing a new currency to replace the CFA franc. This move aims to reduce reliance on external financial systems.[56][57]

3. Infrastructure Development: Significant investments have been made in energy, communications, and agricultural infrastructure, aiming to boost economic growth and self-reliance.[58][59][60]

4. Regional Integration: The introduction of a biometric passport for ASS citizens promotes regional integration and mobility.[61][62] In November 2024, the ASS announced "free roaming" (no roaming charges) from January 2025 for mobile service between AES countries.[63][64]

5. Diversified Partnerships: The ASS has diversified its international partnerships, reducing reliance on traditional Western partners and seeking new alliances with countries in Asia and the Middle East.[46][47][50][51][52]

6. Withdrawal of Western Forces: The ASS has achieved the withdrawal of French and American military forces from the region, marking a symbolic victory for national sovereignty.[65][66][67][68][69][70]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Sometimes spelled AoSS[7][8]
  2. ^ Bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited.

References

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  1. ^ a b "The World Factbook". cia.gov. Retrieved 7 June 2024.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: CIA World Factbook
  2. ^ a b "World Economic Outlook database: April 2024". imf.org. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b "ÉCONOMIE AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST Mali, Burkina, Niger : une monnaie commune est-elle crédible ?". Jeune Afrique (in French). 12 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  4. ^ "With ECOWAS exit, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger leave democratic transition in limbo". France24. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Chad, Mauritania pave way for dissolution of G5 Sahel alliance". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  6. ^ a b AFP (16 September 2023). "Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger sign mutual defense pact". Le Monde. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  7. ^ "International Women's Day Celebrations With AES Women in New York". Embassy of the Republic of Mali in the Untited States of America. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  8. ^ Gray, Sébastien (27 November 2023). "Burkina Faso Claims to Kill 400 Militants, as Militants Claim Victories". The Brief. Atlas News. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
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  12. ^ Report, Agency (16 September 2023). "Mali, Niger, Burkina juntas sign mutual defence pact". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Russia's Wagner Group expands into Africa's Sahel with a new brand". CNBC. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  14. ^ "West African coup juntas threaten to quit regional block: What it means". CNBC. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  15. ^ "The Alliance of Sahel States: A regional crisis in troubled West Africa". Samir Bhattacharya. Observer Research Foundation. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  16. ^ "New wave of anti-colonial populism sweeps Francophone Africa ". Quartz. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
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  26. ^ "Mali Coup Soldiers Take to Airwaves, Promise Elections". The New York Times. Associated Press. 19 August 2020. Archived from the original on 23 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  27. ^ "Mali : Bah N'Daw démissionne, Assimi Goïta devient président". Jeune Afrique (in French). 26 May 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  28. ^ Samb, Saliou (6 September 2021). "Elite Guinea army unit says it has toppled president". Reuters. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  29. ^ "Burkina : Ibrahim Traoré proclamé président, Damiba destitué". Jeune Afrique (in French). 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  30. ^ "Niger general Tchiani named head of transitional government after coup". Al Jazeera. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  31. ^ "Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso sign Sahel security pact". Reuters. 16 September 2023. Archived from the original on 16 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  32. ^ "Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger quit ECOWAS". Deutsche Welle. 28 January 2024. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  33. ^ "Mali, Burkina Faso et Niger finalisent l'Alliance des États du Sahel". Jeune Afrique (in French). 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  34. ^ "Sommet des chefs d'Etat de l'AES : Le traité instituant la "Confédération AES" adopté - leFaso.net". lefaso.net (in French). Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  35. ^ "L'Alliance des Etats du Sahel va lancer son passeport biométrique - fr.africanews.com". lefaso.net (in French). Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  36. ^ "African states to launch satellites with Russia". Big News Network.com. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  37. ^ "Afrique Téléphonie : le Mali, le Niger et le Burkina lèvent les frais d'itinérance" [Africa Telephony: Mali, Niger and Burkina lift roaming fees]. Voice of America (in French). Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  38. ^ a b "Countries - The World Factbook". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  39. ^ "Infographic: Niger Is a Major Uranium Supplier to the EU". Statista Daily Data. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  40. ^ Mitchell, Charlie (7 March 2024). "Niger on verge of first oil exports with 110,000 b/d Benin pipeline completed". S&P Global. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  41. ^ "Which are Africa's biggest exports?". World Economic Forum. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  42. ^ "After talks with China, Benin eases oil export ban against Niger". Yahoo Finance. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  43. ^ "Niger-Benin oil pipeline: Junta admits rebels attack". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  44. ^ "An African country has asked Russia to help with lithium mining: they want to produce batteries". EADaily. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  45. ^ "Mali records highest cotton production". Africanews. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  46. ^ a b "Brief: Russia Deepens Counter-Terrorism Ties to Sahelian Post-Coup Regimes". jamestown.org. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  47. ^ a b "Will Turkey's inroads in Sahel spark cooperation with US in Africa? - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012". www.al-monitor.com. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  48. ^ First, Togo. "Customs: Alliance of Sahel States Want to Strengthen Trade Ties with Togo". www.togofirst.com. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  49. ^ First, Togo. "Togo: Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso total over 90% of the port of Lomé's transit". www.togofirst.com. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  50. ^ a b "West African junta alliance moves to consolidate cooperation with China". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  51. ^ a b middleeastmonitor.com. "Iran 'ready to share its expertise' in security with Burkina Faso: Envoy". middleeastmonitor.com.
  52. ^ a b "Burkina Faso sets sight on joining BRICS". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  53. ^ Anne, Souleymane (8 October 2024). "Assessment of the Alliance of Sahel states: over a year of initiatives and challenges". SeneNews in English – Senegal news, breaking news, Africa news and videos. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  54. ^ "Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso announce joint anti-jihadist force". France 24. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  55. ^ "West African regional bloc condemns terror attack in breakaway member Mali". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  56. ^ Thioune, Thierno (14 March 2024). "Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger hint at a new west African currency: what it'll take for it to succeed". The Conversation. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  57. ^ Ferdjani, Hannane. "Debate on ditching CFA begins as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger forge new path". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  58. ^ "Breakaway West African bloc aims to deploy 2 satellites with Russian help". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  59. ^ "Niger bans grain exports to Nigeria, other non-members of ASS". Daily Trust. 18 October 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  60. ^ "Niger Enacts Comprehensive Ban on Food Export to countries outside of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)". Cameroon Concord-In the Heart of Cameroon's News Pulse. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  61. ^ Enoch, Melissa (16 September 2024). "Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Juntas To Launch New Biometric Passports Amid Break From ECOWAS". Arise News. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  62. ^ Reporter, Times (16 September 2024). "Alliance of Sahel States: Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to launch new passport". The New Times. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  63. ^ "Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso : l'AES fait un pas vers l'intégration du marché des télécoms - Jeune Afrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  64. ^ Sourou, Helene (21 November 2024). "Révolution des télécommunications au Sahel : Le roaming gratuit devient une réalité". Journal du niger (in French). Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  65. ^ Kulkarni, Pavan (25 September 2023). "French decision to withdraw troops from Niger is a testimony "to the determination and will of the Nigerien people"". Peoples Dispatch. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  66. ^ Lawal, Shola. "Au revoir, Sahel: Did 2023 crush France's influence in Africa?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  67. ^ Kulkarni, Pavan (19 March 2024). "Why has Niger declared US military presence in its territory illegal?". Peoples Dispatch. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  68. ^ "US agrees to pull troops out of Niger". 20 April 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  69. ^ Mallinder, Lorraine. "What's next as 'heavy-handed' US negotiates pullout from Niger?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  70. ^ "US says it will withdraw troops from Niger by September". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
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