The new head of an alliance of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger has declared that the launch of a joint battalion “must be followed by large-scale operations in the coming days" in a region plagued by terrorism.
Burkina Faso leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré gave no details in his comments after being named the new head of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), whose three military-led members withdrew from West Africa's regional bloc this year. The alliance formed in 2023.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are the most affected as the vast Sahel region south of the Sahara has become the deadliest place in the world for terrorism, with armed groups linked to al Qaida and the Daesh.
The countries' leaders agreed in a summit on Tuesday to boost security and economic ties, days after the weekend launch of the joint military battalion that's meant to fight the terrorist groups.
The alliance has “put an end to all occupation forces in our countries,” said Niger’s junta leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, alluding to member states' decisions to kick out France and the United States.
“No country or interest group will decide for our countries anymore,” Tchiani added.
The AES, encompassing some 78 million people, continues to deepen integration in security, economy and information signaling a push for greater regional autonomy in the Sahel.
