Niamey, Niger | May 27, 2025 | 18:45 GMT
BREAKING: The military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger today announced the creation of a joint security force, marking a decisive turn toward self-reliant counterterrorism efforts and away from Western partnerships in Africa’s volatile Sahel region.
Key Developments:
- The newly established Tri-National Security Force will conduct coordinated military operations across shared borders to combat jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS.
- Defense ministers confirmed the force will begin operations within 60 days, with command centers in Gao (Mali), Niamey (Niger), and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).
- The alliance represents an expansion of the September 2023 Liptako-Gourma Charter that first united the three nations.
Geopolitical Shift:
The move accelerates the region’s pivot toward Russia, with sources confirming:
- Increased presence of Russian military advisors
- Expanded Wagner Group operations in logistics and training
- Planned arms deals to replace former French equipment
Reactions & Analyst Commentary:
Regional Leaders:
- Niger’s junta leader Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani: “The era of foreign dictates is over. We will secure our people by our own means, with partners who respect our sovereignty.”
- Mali’s Col. Assimi Goïta: “This force proves that Africans can solve African problems. We no longer need outsiders claiming to fight terror while destabilizing our nations.”
- Burkina Faso’s Capt. Ibrahim Traoré: “The West failed us. Now, we take our future into our own hands.”
International Response:
- ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray: “While we respect sovereignty, unilateral security pacts risk further dividing West Africa. We urge dialogue.”
- French Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: “We question whether new foreign actors truly prioritize regional stability over their own interests.” (An apparent reference to Russia.)
- U.S. State Department: “We remain committed to counterterrorism partnerships but will reassess aid to nations aligning with destabilizing forces.”
Analyst Perspectives:
- Dr. Pauline Bax, International Crisis Group (Dakar): “This is a direct challenge to ECOWAS and Western influence. The junta-led bloc is betting that collective defiance will shield them from sanctions while securing Russian backing.”
- Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Marc Scheurkogel, Security Analyst (Pretoria): “Militarily, coordination makes sense—these insurgencies don’t respect borders. But replacing French logistics with Russian support is a gamble. Wagner’s long-term reliability is unproven.”
- Prof. Adebayo Olukoshi (Nairobi): “The AU must decide: Will it mediate or marginalize these regimes? Further isolation could push them deeper into Moscow’s orbit.”
On the Ground:
Security analysts report:
- Jihadist attacks increased 27% in the tri-border zone this year
- Over 2.1 million displaced across the three nations
- UN warns of worsening food insecurity in conflict zones
What’s Next?
The alliance plans a June summit to formalize:
- Unified command structure
- Joint procurement policies
- Cross-border pursuit protocols
Bottom Line: This consolidation of the so-called “Axis of Resistance” against Western influence fundamentally reshapes Sahel security dynamics—and could redefine great-power competition in Africa.
