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The Latest Breaking News from the Alliance of Sahel States

Ecowas without the Sahel states: how the split is testing free movement and regional legitimacy

New governments in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso formally left the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) a year ago, having created the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The move happened as a consequence of diplomatic tensions related to military coups in the three countries, after which the regional…

The Conversation

Jihadists have blockaded Mali’s capital. What’s at stake

A coalition of jihadist groups affiliated with al-Qaida have laid siege to landlocked Mali’s capital. For over a month, they have attacked convoys supplying Bamako with fuel, putting considerable pressure on the military junta that has been ruling the country for five years.

The Conversation

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger jointly announce withdrawal from the ICC

The three member states of the Alliance of Sahel States have announced their immediate withdrawal from the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court, accusing the ICC of practising “selective justice”. The declaration was made simultaneously on Monday in the capitals of Bamako, Niamey and Ouagadougou.

Radio France Internationale

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Sahel countries navigate uncertainty following split from Ecowas bloc

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso face the task of untangling themselves from West Africa’s main regional bloc, Ecowas, after officially cutting ties this week. The six-month window to reverse their withdrawal expired on Tuesday. With no sign of a return, both sides must work out what the split means for…

Radio France Internationale

Togo’s citizens want to leave Ecowas – new survey suggests why

A survey of Togolese citizens recently looked into perceptions of their government’s handling of the terrorist threat in the northern region and of the Alliance of Sahel States – Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The survey was carried out by Afrobarometer, an independent, pan-African research network, in partnership with the…

The Conversation

The Taliban and Burkina Faso ambassadors pledge new trade and mining cooperation

Taliban-controlled media say the group's acting ambassador to Iran has met with his Burkina Faso counterpart in the Iranian capital of Tehran

The Independent UK

Mali, Niger, Burkina recall ambassadors from Algeria over drone incident

Tensions between Algeria and its southern neighbours have flared once again after the downing of a Turkish-made military drone near the Mali border, underscoring the ongoing instability in the Sahel.

Radio France Internationale

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Ecowas breakup could push up food prices and worsen hunger in west Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) lost three of its founding members on 29 January 2025. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger comprised 16% of the bloc’s population of 424 million and 7% of its economy.

The Conversation

Power vacuum in west Africa’s Sahel: 3 ways China could fill the gap as west exits

With France fast losing its influence in west Africa’s Sahel region and an unpredictable US president in power, will China fill the vacuum?

The Conversation

Three Sahel nations exit West African bloc as regional politics shift

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso were to officially quit the West African bloc Ecowas Wednesday, severing ties after years of strained relations that have reshaped trade routes in the Sahel.

Radio France Internationale

Senegal 'making progress' convincing military regimes in Sahel to remain with Ecowas

Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has said he is 'making progress' in a mediation mission with junta-led Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, after the trio announced their departure from regional bloc Ecowas.

Radio France Internationale

More than 70 killed in Mali attack: What happened, why it matters

This is the first major attack on Bamako since 2015 when fighters targeted foreigners in a nightclub and hotel.

Al Jazeera

Mali is still unsafe under the military: why it hasn’t made progress against rebels and terrorists

The scale of casualties suffered by the Wagner group and Malian forces during a recent assault in the Tinzaouaten region reveal vulnerability in Mali’s counterinsurgency posture.

The Conversation

Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso: How a triumvirate of military leaders are redrawing West Africa’s map

The military juntas of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso signed a treaty of confederation Saturday bringing together 72 million people into the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). It’s a decision, they say, that will not only allow the three nations to wipe the scourge of jihadist violence from their countries,…

France 24

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The Independent UK

Military leaders of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso rule out returning to the regional block ECOWAS

The coup-hit nations of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have ruled out returning to the West Africa regional bloc whose division could further jeopardize regional efforts to revert coups and curb the violence spreading across the region

Al Jazeera

Can Senegal’s Faye play peacemaker and help a splintered West Africa bloc?

Experts say ECOWAS’s tensions with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso could roll back years of regional diplomacy.

The Conversation

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have a new defence alliance: an expert view of its chances of success

On 16 September 2023 in Bamako, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger established the Alliance of Sahel States, a mutual defence pact. The agreement was signed against the backdrop of an ongoing political crisis in Niger following a coup on 26 July 2023. The regional bloc, the Economic Community of West…

Al Jazeera

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso establish Sahel security alliance

The Sahel nations sign pact that will allow them to cooperate against threats of armed rebellion or external aggression.

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