The leaders of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have met in Bamako for the second summit of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), as the three military-led governments push ahead with plans to deepen security and political cooperation, including the creation of a unified joint force.
The meeting brought together Mali’s transitional president, Colonel Assimi Goïta, Niger’s leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, and Burkina Faso’s head of state, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Discussions focused on regional security, economic development and the operationalisation of a common military structure to confront insurgent violence across the Sahel.
At the centre of the summit was the formal advancement of a joint defence force aimed at countering jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State, which continue to carry out attacks across the three countries. Officials said the force would allow for coordinated operations, intelligence sharing and pooled resources along shared borders that have long been exploited by armed groups.
The Alliance of Sahel States was created in 2024 following a series of military takeovers in the three countries and their subsequent withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Since then, the bloc has positioned itself as a sovereign alternative to regional and Western-led security frameworks, which its leaders accuse of failing to restore stability.
Speaking at the summit, Malian authorities described the alliance as a “strategic necessity” rather than a political choice, arguing that collective self-defence was essential for national survival. Niger and Burkina Faso echoed similar sentiments, stressing that security remains the foundation for economic recovery and social development.
Beyond military cooperation, the leaders also discussed plans to strengthen economic integration, including infrastructure projects, energy cooperation and greater coordination on trade and mobility. Analysts say the bloc is seeking to present itself not just as a security pact, but as a long-term regional union capable of delivering tangible benefits to citizens.
However, the alliance faces significant challenges. The three countries remain among the poorest in the world, with strained public finances, humanitarian crises and millions displaced by conflict. The effectiveness of a unified force will depend heavily on funding, training, equipment and sustained coordination, areas where previous regional efforts have struggled.
The summit also comes amid shifting international alliances. Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have distanced themselves from France and other Western partners, while strengthening ties with Russia and non-Western actors. This geopolitical realignment has reshaped security dynamics in the Sahel and drawn close international scrutiny.
Despite the obstacles, leaders at the Bamako meeting struck a defiant tone, presenting the Alliance of Sahel States as irreversible. They argued that the bloc represents a new chapter of regional self-determination, rooted in what they describe as shared history, threats and aspirations.
As the Sahel continues to face one of the world’s most complex security crises, the coming months will test whether the alliance’s bold rhetoric can translate into improved security and stability on the ground.
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