The leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger concluded a summit on Tuesday where they announced plans for joint military operations against armed groups in the Sahel region. The meeting of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) also included the formal launch of a shared security force and a joint broadcast network.
Burkina Faso’s interim leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, who has assumed the rotating presidency of the AES, stated that “large-scale” joint operations would occur in the coming days. He did not provide further details on the planned actions. During the summit, Traore also referred to what he termed the “Black Winter,” which he described as a phase of external threats, violence, and economic pressure.
The three member states officially launched the 5,000-strong AES Unified Force (FU-AES) to address regional security challenges. Additionally, the leaders established a joint broadcaster, AES Television. Malian President General Assimi Goita said the channel would serve as a strategic tool “to break disinformation campaigns and hostile narratives targeting our states.”
General Omar Tchiani, leader of Niger’s military government, said at the summit that the AES had “put an end to all occupation forces in our countries.” On security matters, General Goita reported that “several terrorist bases” had been destroyed as a result of recent operations. He also commented on the region’s economic outlook, noting its “immense mining and agricultural potential.”
The AES was formed in 2024 after the three nations, all led by military governments, withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc. The countries have ended security agreements with former partners, including France and the United States, and have increased cooperation with Russia.
Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, told The Associated Press that the summit demonstrates growing collaboration among the AES members. He stated that the alliance “enjoys popularity among citizens of the three countries” and is attempting to deepen cooperation beyond military matters.
