In response to increasing jihadist attacks, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have announced plans to establish a unified military force of 5,000 troops within weeks. This initiative is part of their ongoing military cooperation, following a series of coups that led to military regimes in these Sahelian countries between 2020 and 2023.
Niger's Defense Minister, Salifou Mody, confirmed the decision on Tuesday, stating that the three nations, part of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), are committed to enhancing their military collaboration.
Seidik Abba, a journalist and researcher on the Sahel, remarked that the formation of this joint force signifies a deeper commitment to a collective defense and security architecture, as outlined in the Liptako-Gourma charter that established the AES.
However, the specifics regarding the implementation and funding of this force remain unclear. Analyst Ahmed Dieme suggested that the AES countries might rely on financial assistance from friendly nations, but not necessarily from Russia, which is currently facing financial difficulties.
The AES nations are already conducting joint operations against jihadists, particularly in the area known as the three borders, where attacks are frequent. Despite the vast territory of 2.8 million square kilometers that these countries cover—five times the size of France—the planned troop numbers may seem inadequate. Abba noted that the proposed strength is similar to that of the G5 Sahel, which faced its own challenges in securing necessary funding.
The announcement comes just a week before these three nations officially withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), an organization they consider ineffective in addressing their security challenges.