What to remember from this political-military and economic alliance, between Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, Plunging into a year 2024 marked by the signing of several non-aggression, economic and cultural agreements and an endless battle against terrorism in the States of the Sahel Alliance, and the withdrawal of American and French bases, particularly in Chad and Niger.
Introduction to the Sahel political-military alliance
The Alliance of Sahel States, created in September 2023, was officially established on January 28, 2024. Simultaneously, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger left ECOWAS, judged to be under French influence, while maintaining their membership in the UEMOA to limit economic impacts. In March, the AES announced a joint force against the jihadists who regularly threaten their territory. Furthermore, their confederation was formalized on July 6 in Niamey during their first summit.
In addition to non-aggression pacts, economic and monetary partnerships were signed between presidents Assimi Goïta, Ibrahim Traoré and Abdourahamane Tchiani.
Withdrawal from Foreign Bases
Faced with growing hostility against foreign bases in the Sahel, Chad ordered the departure of American troops stationed in N'Djamena in April. At the same time.
On September 16, after eleven years of presence and cooperation, the United States officially withdrew its last troops from Niger, a withdrawal requested last April.
Development initiatives and economic agreements
On September 17, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Liptako Gourma Charter, President Assimi Goïta announced the launch of a biometric passport, as well as the creation of an investment bank and a stabilization fund. to support development projects in the Sahel.
On November 22, the AES countries signed an agreement in Niamey putting an end to roaming charges, making the reception of voice calls and SMS free in the area.
Fight against terrorism
However, this year the defense pact has been marked by numerous terrorist attacks, including one in Bamako. On September 18, the gendarmerie school in Faladié and a military base near Modibo Kéita airport were attacked by Al-Qaeda terrorists.
On August 24, in Barsalogho in Burkina, several people were killed in a terrorist attack claimed by JNIM and condemned by the UN Security Council.
In Niger, three days of national mourning were observed on June 25 after the death of 20 soldiers and a civilian in the Tillabéri region, the three-border area.
In October, Boko Haram launched an attack on a military base located on the island of Barkaram in the Lake Chad region. Attack which left at least 40 killed in the Chadian ranks.
End of cooperation with France
In this bloody fight against terrorism, Mali celebrated, on November 14, the first year of the recapture of Kidal, this northern city in the hands of the Tuareg separatists where the army had not regained a foothold since May 2014. Eight Tuareg leaders were killed by the army on December 1, including the best known, Fahad Ag Al Mahmoud.
Let's end this review with Chad, which ended defense cooperation with France on November 28. A wish expressed by Senegal.
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