This weekend, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger inked a defense pact in Bamako, Mali’s capital.
Leaders Ibrahim Traoré, Assimi Goïta, and Abdourahamane Tiani were present. The pact aims for mutual aid and defense among the nations.
They commit to fight all forms of terrorism and organized crime. Their shared territory is the focus area.
The agreement also aims to resolve armed conflicts peacefully. If needed, the countries may use force to maintain peace.
On social media, Traoré said the alliance is a big step for cooperation. He stated they will fight terrorism until they win.
Extremist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS have troubled these countries. Their governments came to power through military coups.
A recent coup in Niger led ECOWAS to consider using force. However, Mali and Burkina Faso opposed any force against Niger.
Relations with France have also suffered. France pulled troops from Mali and Burkina Faso recently.
All three nations were part of the G5 Sahel coalition until Mali left in May 2022. This coalition had backing from France and the EU.
Background
The Sahel region has a history of instability. Many factors like poverty and climate change worsen the situation.
The G5 Sahel coalition was formed in 2014 to combat terrorism. However, this alliance faced many challenges.
Mali’s withdrawal in 2022 raised questions about its effectiveness.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have seen military coups. These events strained relations with international powers.
ECOWAS has often threatened actions but remains limited in its reach. Once a colonial ruler, France has had a complex relationship with these nations.
Its troop withdrawal signifies a shift in strategy.
The new pact between Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger marks a notable move. The leaders aim to strengthen ties and focus on shared challenges.