Mali, Niger and Burkina Fasothree nations of the sahel of West Africa governed by military boardssigned on Saturday a security pact promising to help each other in case of any rebellion or external aggression. The three countries are struggling to contain Islamic insurgents linked to Al Qaeda and to Islamic State, But at the same time they have seen how relations with their neighbors and international partners have become strained due to the coups d’état that have occurred in the three countries in recent years.
The last coup in Niger opened a new gap between the three countries and the rest of the States of the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)who has even threatened to use force to restore the constitutional regime in the country. Mali and Burkina Faso have promised to come to Niger’s aid if it is attacked. “Any attack on sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more contracted parties will be considered an aggression against the other parties,” according to the letter of the pact, known as Alliance of Sahel States. The document emphasizes that other States will individually or collectively help the attacked country, even with the use of armed force.
“Today I signed with the heads of state of Burkina Faso and Niger the Liptako-Gourma letter that establishes the Alliance of Sahel States, with the aim of establishing a collective defense framework and mutual assistance“said the Malian junta leader, Assimi Goitaon his X social media account.
Deterioration of the relationship with France
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The three states were members of the alliance’s joint force G5 Sahel (supported by France), with Chad and Mauritania, launched in 2017 to combat Islamist groups in the region. But Mali left the organization after the military coup, while Niger’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoumsaid in May last year that the force became “dead” after leaving Mali.
Relations between France and the three states have deteriorated since the riots. France has been forced to withdraw its troops from Mali and Burkina Faso, and is in a tense standoff with the junta that seized power in Niger after it demanded the withdrawal of its troops and its ambassador. France has refused to recognize the junta’s authority.