Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Form New Confederation, Strengthening Ties with Russia

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have finalized plans to establish a new confederation, the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), marking a significant geopolitical shift in the region. This move signals their departure from their former colonial ruler, France, and a pivot towards closer relations with Russia.

The announcement came after a meeting of the three nations’ foreign ministers in Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Friday, as reported by AFP. Niger’s Foreign Minister, Bakary Sangare, confirmed the finalization of the draft text that outlines the institutionalization and operationalization of the AES.

“The objective was to finalize the draft text relating to the institutionalization and operationalization of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States,” Sangare stated.

“We can consider very clearly, today, that the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States has been born,” declared Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop. The Heads of State of the three countries will formally adopt the text at an upcoming summit, although the exact date has not been specified. Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore also participated in the crucial talks.

Widely seen as West Africa’s top political and regional authority, the 15-nation bloc of ECOWAS – formed in 1975 to promote economic integration among member states – has struggled in recent years to counter a wave of military takeovers in the region, including Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023.

The three countries announced their exit from ECOWAS on Sunday, January 28, 2024, after contemplating a counterforce, the Alliance of Sahel States, against the regional bloc following the overthrow of the democratically elected government in Niger. The countries, currently under military rule, stated in a joint declaration that they ceased to be members of ECOWAS as the regional body had allegedly "moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism."

Sanctions imposed by ECOWAS were lifted in February 2024 following the intervention of Nigeria’s ex-military head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon. The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, noted that the decisions were taken in the interest of unity and security in the African sub-region.