Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso Sign Security Agreement for Sahel Countries

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, three countries in the Sahel region of West Africa governed by military councils, signed a security agreement today, Saturday, pledging to assist each other in the event of any rebellion or external aggression. The three countries are making efforts to contain Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, and their relations with neighbors and international partners have also tense due to coups. The recent coup in Niger has created an additional rift between the three countries and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has threatened to use force to restore constitutional governance in the country. Mali and Burkina Faso committed to providing assistance to Niger if it comes under attack. The charter of the agreement, known as the Sahel States Alliance, states that "any attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more signatory parties will be considered an aggression against the others." The head of Mali's military council, Assimi Goïta, stated on social media platform "X": "Today, I signed with the leaders of Burkina Faso and Niger the Lifetako-Jurma Charter to establish the Sahel States Alliance aimed at creating a framework for collective defense and mutual assistance." The three countries were members of the joint force of the G5 Sahel Alliance supported by France, along with Chad and Mauritania, formed in 2017 to combat Islamist groups in the region. Since then, Mali has left the dormant organization following a military coup, and ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum stated in May of last year that the force had become "dead" after Mali's exit. Relations between France and the three countries have soured since the coups. France has had to withdraw its forces from Mali and Burkina Faso and is now facing a tense relationship with the military council that seized power in Niger after requesting the withdrawal of its forces and ambassador. France refuses to recognize the authority of the military council.