Military leaders from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso sign new agreement, reject ECOWAS criticisms | Conflict News

Military leaders from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have signed a confederation treaty in Niamey, signaling a move towards greater integration between the three countries. The treaty aims to strengthen a mutual defense pact formed within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), withdrawing the countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The leaders, who came into power through coups, criticized ECOWAS as being controlled by foreign powers.
The strengthening of the relationship among the three nations means that an attack on one is considered an attack on all. This new alliance comes at a time when the three countries are shifting their influence away from traditional Western allies, such as France and the US, towards closer ties with Russia.
The summit in Niamey also highlighted the increasing violence and instability in the region, as armed groups associated with al-Qaeda and ISIS continue to wreak havoc across the countries. The withdrawal of Western forces from the region has left a security vacuum that these new military leaders are attempting to fill through their alliance.
Despite concerns about the efficacy of ECOWAS in promoting regional integration and security, critics argue that the new approach of the three-member alliance may not be effectively addressing the violence and displacement seen in the region. As the countries face ongoing challenges, the newly formed alliance between Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger continues to reshape the region’s security landscape.

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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com