Mali, Burkina Faso, And Niger Forms Joint Force Against Terrorism

West African countries Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have announced plans to form a joint force that will fight terrorism in the region.

The three countries ruled by military juntas made the disclosure after cordial talks in Niamey, Niger.

Though the date for the new force to commence operations remains unknown, Nigerien army chief Moussa Salaou Barmou said operations will start as early as possible.

In the past year, thousands of people have been killed in the region through terror attacks from groups linked to the Islamic State and al-Qaeda.

Fighting insecurity was a major promise the military made to citizens of the West African countries when they seized power through coups, but the problem has remained unsolved.

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formed a mutual defence pact in September 2023, known as the “Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and withdrew from the G5 international force responsible for fighting insurgency in the region.

Related: ECOWAS Lifts Sanctions On Mali, Burkina Faso, And Niger

The West African countries also severed ties with France, which has maintained a strong military presence in the Sahel for years after colonialism.

Mali went further to order the United Nations peacekeeping mission “Minusma,” which had been operational for more than ten years, to withdraw “without delay” and successfully complete the exit in December 2023.

While the three countries have severed ties with the West, they have found a new ally in Russia.

The military juntas also withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after heavy sanctions meant to force a return to civilian rule.

ECOWAS reversed some of the sanctions in February and has called for dialogue.