Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso Alliance Aims to Reshape the Sahel
Bamako, Mali – A recent summit of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprised of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, concluded in late December 2025, raising hopes for improved security and economic conditions within the member states. The summit, held in Bamako, Mali, spotlighted the alliance's ambition to address the political upheaval and armed violence that has plagued the Sahel region in recent years.
The three nations, all grappling with significant security challenges, are seeking to leverage the AES to foster greater cooperation. According to Al Jazeera, the alliance hopes to improve the lives of citizens in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
Nicolas Haque of Al Jazeera was present in Bamako, Mali's capital, to gauge local expectations for the new alliance. Haque and his team arrived via an Air Burkina flight from Dakar, Senegal, and were met by individuals linked to the Malian government.
The second summit of the AES saw Burkina Faso's President Captain Ibrahim Traore walking alongside Mali's President General Assimi Goita, underscoring the unified front the nations are attempting to project. The leaders hope that through cooperation, they can address the multifaceted challenges facing the Sahel.
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