In September 2023, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a regional bloc aimed at fostering unity and addressing shared challenges. This new grouping has quickly distinguished itself from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). They criticize ECOWAS for prioritizing foreign interests over the needs of African countries themselves. The AES comes at a moment when violence is increasing in the Sahel region. Armed groups have perpetrated such violence there for over a decade, further undermining governance and security.
The leadership of the AES are as strong as they come. Mali’s military government under Assimi Goita, Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traore and Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tchiani are all resisting outside influence. The AES was conceived with the aim to create a regional common investment and development bank. Local infrastructure, such as highways, energy, and even mineral extraction would be funded by this bank, breaking reliance on Western lenders and fostering sustainability of the region.
The Leadership Dynamics within AES
The AES has a unique rotating leadership structure that mirrors the nature of the collaborative alliance at its core. Assimi Goita is its leader in name, but Captain Ibrahim Traore soon to be in practice. This rotation signals a larger tactic. It seeks to bring the three countries together with one vision for infrastructure, while allowing each country to maintain its own national priorities.
Captain Traore has spoken passionately about solidarity amongst African nations and has stood up against internal division. He stated, “Why are we, Black people, trying to cultivate hatred among ourselves?” This feeling is the bedrock of a rising chorus for Republicans to rally together against forces from outside the party as well as infighting.
In response, the military governments of all three nations have implemented a conscription policy, purportedly to strengthen their forces to fight against armed insurgents. Yet this forward-looking policy has raised deep concerns about civil liberties. According to reports, journalists and civil society members who speak out against military rule have been forced to the front line. This action reflects the ever-present need for security. It also betrays the deepening fault-lines between tech governance and civil liberties in these new democracies.
A Break from ECOWAS
The creation of the AES marks a significant break from ECOWAS. In many ways, ECOWAS has been the premier regional economic integration success on the continent. ECOWAS leaders should agree with the AES’s leaders that ECOWAS has not done enough to address the distinctive challenges of the Sahel. Rather, they claim the bloc serves the interests of foreigners, especially the Western countries’ – read France’s – interests.
Mali’s finance minister recently remarked on the complexities of international relations, stating, “The IMF won’t release loans until Mali has ironed out its relations with France.” These countries are in a real bind. They all seek to break free financially, while still walking the line in their necessary partnerships with old world players.
The AES seeks to push back against narratives that it sees as imperialistic and harmful to African sovereignty. Ibrahim Traore encapsulated this sentiment by declaring, “either we put an end to imperialism once and for all, or we remain slaves until we disappear.” Those types of statements are in tandem with a larger movement across the entire region to regain control and agency over their political and economic futures.
Security Challenges and Foreign Influence
Today, the Sahel is experiencing a tragic increase in violence. Armed groups are re-purposing local grievances and international terrorism to ratchet up their attacks against civilians. The AES has proudly fought back against these threats. It has had Russian mercenaries on the ground fighting alongside military troops against militants opposing the government. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS COLLABORATION This collaboration further illustrates a broader regional trend toward non-Western partnerships and alliances in security affairs.
The AES’s rapid development contrasts starkly with ECOWAS’s slower response mechanisms. The organization has historically fought against bureaucratic hang-ups when it comes to responding to crises. The new alliance has moved rapidly to coordinate military and economic policies to meet these challenges directly. This multifaceted proactive approach seeks to stabilize the region through economic diversification and development, while helping create a sense of autonomy and distance from outside influence.
The AES’s leadership has an unwavering commitment to creating stronger local governance structures. They’re committed to ensuring that the development projects they help create truly benefit their communities. With these shared objectives in mind, the AES seeks to redefine approaches to governance and economic development across the Sahel. It accomplishes this by valuing independence, highlighting self-reliance and encouraging regional collaboration.
